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SAINT JOHN – A Moncton food truck owner who says he’s been the victim of racist remarks received a warm welcome from Air Canada employees in Saint John Tuesday.

Michael Uberall was in awe when he arrived at the Air Canada Call Centre with his Moncton-based food truck, called Checkpoint Germany.

Welcoming messages, written in chalk and in German, lined the pavement where the food truck was scheduled to park for the day.

“It’s overwhelming. I think that’s the way you’re supposed to use chalk,” he said.

The top photo was taken just over a week ago in Sackville. The bottom photo was taken Tuesday in Saint John. Courtesy: Michael Uberall. Courtesy: Michael Uberall

The chalk messages were all positive, reflecting thanks, welcome and other well wishes.

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The messages were the brainchild of some Air Canada employees. They came up with the idea after Global News reported on the racist remarks Uberall and his family had to endure at his Moncton-based food truck.

READ MORE: Moncton food truck owner says he faces daily racism

The abuse was so bad he was considering leaving the city.

“What they decided to do was get some chalk out, write some welcoming messages because no one really deserves to be treated like that,” said Air Canada employee Jane Brideau.

Andrew Cromwell/Global News.

“So we thought it was a nice gesture to welcome them here.”

Since then, Uberall says the support has been outstanding.

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“We were finding flowers at our doorstep at home. We had people showing up at the food truck on and on and on saying thank you very much, welcome to Moncton,” he said.

“We had business picking up very, very good. It’s just everybody is smiling. Nobody shows me the finger any more.” Tweet This

Saint John councillor Gerry Lowe invited Uberall to park at the newly refurbished Tin Can Beach in the city’s south-end. The truck will make its first stop there on Wednesday.

Uberall says he’s been overwhelmed by all the support he’s receiving but the long-term future is still up in the air. He says he’ll keep things status quo for the time being until the end of this season and make a final decision on the future in the fall.