Actions Across Canada Condemn Police Attacks on BlockadesIn the hours after the police attack, arrests and
dismantling of the Tyendinaga blockade in Ontario, more actions of
resistance followed. The Gitxsan re-established a blockade of the CN
rail line in northern BC that had been taken down on February 13 with
the
understanding that discussions between the Wet'suwet'en and the federal
government would take place. The RCMP arrested several people,
including Gitxsan hereditary chiefs, at that blockade. Others then shut
down Highway 16 in northern BC demanding the release of those arrested.
Blockades of the Port of Vancouver continued, in defiance of an
injunction, and Indigenous and other youth are occupying the steps of
the BC legislature. In towns and cities across the country rallies and
demonstrations are taking place. There are road and rail blockades in the Mohawk communities of Kanesatà:ke and Kahnawà:ke in Quebec which have been in place for some time. On February 25, a Quebec court granted CP an injunction requiring the dismantling of a barricade on the rail line through Kahnawà:ke. Enforcement there is the responsibility of the Mohawk Peacekeepers police service which has said that it has no intention of carrying out the court order. Quebec Premier François Legault declared, with no proof whatsoever, that dismantling that blockade is dangerous because of the presence of AK-47s, which is categorically denied by the Peacekeepers. Legault said that the Sûreté du Québec is working on a plan to bring down the barricades. Authorities openly admit that police actions to dismantle blockades has resulted in new actions in other locations. Violent repression of unarmed demonstrators standing in solidarity with the just demands of the Wet'suwet'en will not succeed in convincing anyone that the state is in the right. The Wet'suwet'en are defending their hereditary rights as well as the well-being of Mother Earth, which appeals to those who are concerned about the despoliation of the natural environment, and are asking for nation-to-nation dialogue. The onus is on Canada to uphold the hereditary rights of Indigenous peoples. That is the path to peaceful resolution of outstanding conflicts.
|
