PORTHILL — Separated by an international border, several dozen neighbors took time to meet at the U.S.-Canada boundary on Valentine’s Day to promote peace. 

A group of Americans walked from Jake’s Landing at Porthill to meet with Canadians at the boundary between the two countries, gathering in the space on a grassy bank overlooking a lake between the border stations. About 80 people attended, with more participants coming from Canada.  

Organizers said the walk — the first of its kind in Idaho — was not a protest but a gathering of neighbors and was inspired by world events and feelings of anger, fear and division. 

“We walk not to protest but to come together in the spirit of compassion, mutual respect, care and understanding,” organizers said in a statement. “Peace begins within.” 

Several Canadians carried flags, turning the group into a sea of red and white as they passed their flags to Americans. The event was highly social, with attendees encouraged to interact with people they did not know. 

Two prayers were offered. The first was delivered by Chris Luke, retired chief of the Lower Kootenay Band of the Ktunaxa First Nation, in the Ktunaxa language. A monk followed with a prayer spoken by 19 monks who recently completed a months-long walk from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. 

The initial walk to meet the Canadians was mostly silent, aside from quiet conversation, as organizers said the silence allows the mind to rest and focus. 

The event comes amid a significant dip in border crossings in the past year. In 2025, there were approximately 37,000 less border crossings into the United States from Porthill and Eastport than the year prior, a 16% decrease.  

Event organizer Alexandra Ewas said she was inspired by the story of the monks who walked across the U.S. to create this event.

“I thought of going down there with them and then I thought, ‘we can do this here,’” Ewas said. “So many people feel helpless in this world and want to do something. This has just been a space or a moment to pause and just be together as a community.” 

Ewas, who is Canadian, said relations between the two countries have not been ideal recently. 

“We have been the best of friends for a long time,” Ewas said. “But yeah, things are rocky right now. A lot of people don’t feel even comfortable going to the States right now and so it felt powerful to walk towards that. It just made sense to come together and just show sign and unity and passion towards each other.” 

Jake Phillipson, who was born in the Netherlands and has lived in Canada for decades, hoped there would be similar events in the future.

“It’s maybe not been all that positive lately,” Phillipson said. “So anytime when you can find positivity with local people, feel the love, you do it. It starts with us. We want to have peace.” 

Arleen Erland of Sandpoint said she heard about the event a week beforehand. 

“Well, I don’t have a Valentine’s date,” Erland said. “I’m kidding. I want to be involved in this movement of peace.” 

Mike Ramaradhya said he attended because of frustration with President Donald Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st state.

“Just frustration with how uncivil everyone’s getting and, you know, the conflict,” Ramaradhya said. “Canadians are really upset about Trump and the 51st state comment.” 

He said it was important for him to show he was not upset with the American people but with those in power. 

“We’ve got friends from the U.S. I won’t go down and see them,” Ramaradhya said. “U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and ICE — it’s way out of hand. We’ve all seen Minneapolis and Los Angeles and Chicago are not happy with that. We’re angry with the way that is being carried out and not with the average American. I think the big thing is to bring a message of peace and goodwill.” 

Robert Rossi of Boundary County said peace was also the reason he attended. 

“It’s just important to show up and to be present for things that are promoting peace and togetherness,” Rossi said. “We’re being divided so much in politics and advertising that it’s difficult to remember that we’re neighbors first sometimes. I just feel it’s important to realize you can disagree with people and still appreciate that they have the right to disagree with you.” 

    Attendees at the Walking Together for Peace event gathered in a semi-circle to listen to organizers.     The event was held next to a lake in between the U.S. and Canada border stations at Porthill.