Flag Day supporters hold impromptu St. John's rally despite 110 km/h winds
Krista van Nostrand planned the rally, and was joined by MHA Jim Dinn
A determined group of people in St. John's held a small Flag Day rally over the weekend that really blew the others away.
Despite the cold temperatures and 110 km/h winds, Krista van Nostrand stood atop Confederation Hill on Feb. 15 holding the Canadian flag with strength and pride.
The National Flag of Canada Day felt more important to her this year given tensions with the U.S., and inspired her to organize the impromptu rally.
Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag, with similar rallies held across the country.
WATCH | Strong winds can't stop these Canadian Flag Day supporters
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey called for Canadians to wave the "Maple Leaf high," in a post on social media.
"With Canada facing unfair economic threats from the U.S., this is a moment to stand together. Fly it, wear it, post it — let's show our pride," said Furey.
Furey wasn't alone, as 5 former prime ministers also wrote a letter asking Canadians to fly the flag as a display of national pride in response to Trump's rehtoric about tariffs and annexation.
"In the face of threats and insults from Donald Trump, Canadians have come together to express their love for our country and their determination to defend Canada's values and our independence," wrote Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper.
Time to stand and be counted
When van Nostrand saw the prime ministers' letter, she expected there to be a rally of support in St. John's. When she saw there wasn't anything planned, she decided to organize it herself.
"I have no idea how to make something like this happen, and this is way outside my comfort zone. But it is time to stand and be counted," wrote van Nostrand in a Facebook post.
Van Nostrand said she knows a lot of people are upset, worried and angry, so she thought it was important to gather and wave the flag.
"There's just so much aggression in the world, and things seem to be heading into the worst possible direction. So, it's time to stand up and be counted — if you can stand up in the wind," she said while gripping onto her flag against the wind gusts.
Jim Dinn, MHA of St. John's Centre, also joined van Nostrand's rally to show solidarity with the rest of the country, and "stand united in the face of any threat to our sovereignty."
Before the winds became too strong, forcing them to go, the group sang O Canada together and shared their pride for the country, as well as some hot chocolate from Tim Horton's to warm up from the -16 wind chills.
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With files from Julia Israel