When will we ever learn?
Police evict native protesters from Ontario site
Updated Thu. Apr. 20 2006 8:16 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Ontario Provincial Police staged a pre-dawn raid Thursday in a bid to evict native protesters who had occupied an Ontario construction site for seven weeks.
Police arrived "incredibly quickly with overwhelming force," just before 5 a.m., protester Mike Desroches told reporters at the scene.
Desroches said police were armed with guns, tear gas and Tasers and "completely swarmed the territory," but there was no sign of a violent confrontation.
At least nine people have reportedly been arrested.
Since Feb. 28, dozens of Six Nations protesters had occupied the Douglas Creek Estates housing project near Hamilton, southwestern Ontario, which they say sits on native land.
The protestors argue that the site was part of a large land grant back in 1784, but the provincial and federal governments insist the land was surrendered in 1841 to help build a major highway.
An Ontario Superior Court judge ordered the protesters to leave last month, but they ignored the order.
The protest has irked local residents, at least 500 of whom turned out earlier this month for a rally to demand that authorities end the occupation.
Ontario Provincial Police have so far not commented on Thursday's raid, which came two days after talks to end the dispute broke down.
OPP Sgt. Dave Rektor told The Canadian Press there would be no official comment until a news media briefing, likely to be held Thursday afternoon.
This sort of thing really sickens me beyond belief. I am 100% behind the First Nations people. I was lucky to visit this site before they made the arrests and closed down the protest, and was repulsed by how they had already bulldozed the land and how barren and dead it looked. Its not just the point of stealing the land from the NAtives, it is also what they do with it afterward. It is environmentally irresposible to bulldoze all existing trees in a lot to build houses, only to replant puny ones afterwards. Not to mention very disturbing to the exsiting wildlife. I am saddened that no one with any clout will stand up for the Native people, because we all know if a little money was behind them it would never fly this way at all. Its disgusting that we the white men in the wolrd still play command and conquer daily, worldwide. Especially when it is disturbing other peoples way of life, something they have known for all of time as we know it. Sounds very similar to what the UN and USA and oh yeah, also Canada does and has done to countries worldwide. Iraq ring a bell. There is no difference. It is petty theft for greed and ulterior motives... blood for oil, you know, same damn thing. Now I remember back in high school why I used to say SMASH THE STATE, fuck SOCIETY. I want to live in the mountains and be completely self sufficient. Sorry my friends, I am not one of the money hungry mongrels and sometimes I wish I could disappear.
Updated Thu. Apr. 20 2006 8:16 AM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Ontario Provincial Police staged a pre-dawn raid Thursday in a bid to evict native protesters who had occupied an Ontario construction site for seven weeks.
Police arrived "incredibly quickly with overwhelming force," just before 5 a.m., protester Mike Desroches told reporters at the scene.
Desroches said police were armed with guns, tear gas and Tasers and "completely swarmed the territory," but there was no sign of a violent confrontation.
At least nine people have reportedly been arrested.
Since Feb. 28, dozens of Six Nations protesters had occupied the Douglas Creek Estates housing project near Hamilton, southwestern Ontario, which they say sits on native land.
The protestors argue that the site was part of a large land grant back in 1784, but the provincial and federal governments insist the land was surrendered in 1841 to help build a major highway.
An Ontario Superior Court judge ordered the protesters to leave last month, but they ignored the order.
The protest has irked local residents, at least 500 of whom turned out earlier this month for a rally to demand that authorities end the occupation.
Ontario Provincial Police have so far not commented on Thursday's raid, which came two days after talks to end the dispute broke down.
OPP Sgt. Dave Rektor told The Canadian Press there would be no official comment until a news media briefing, likely to be held Thursday afternoon.
This sort of thing really sickens me beyond belief. I am 100% behind the First Nations people. I was lucky to visit this site before they made the arrests and closed down the protest, and was repulsed by how they had already bulldozed the land and how barren and dead it looked. Its not just the point of stealing the land from the NAtives, it is also what they do with it afterward. It is environmentally irresposible to bulldoze all existing trees in a lot to build houses, only to replant puny ones afterwards. Not to mention very disturbing to the exsiting wildlife. I am saddened that no one with any clout will stand up for the Native people, because we all know if a little money was behind them it would never fly this way at all. Its disgusting that we the white men in the wolrd still play command and conquer daily, worldwide. Especially when it is disturbing other peoples way of life, something they have known for all of time as we know it. Sounds very similar to what the UN and USA and oh yeah, also Canada does and has done to countries worldwide. Iraq ring a bell. There is no difference. It is petty theft for greed and ulterior motives... blood for oil, you know, same damn thing. Now I remember back in high school why I used to say SMASH THE STATE, fuck SOCIETY. I want to live in the mountains and be completely self sufficient. Sorry my friends, I am not one of the money hungry mongrels and sometimes I wish I could disappear.