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Blockades from T.O. to Montreal expected

UNNATI GANDHI

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:27 AM EDT 26/06/07

Crucial highway and rail line that moves tens of thousands of people daily around Central Canada will be subject to a crippling blockade on Friday ...Read the full article

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  1. JT From TO from Toronto, Canada writes: Brant said '... Obviously we have a mandate to participate in an economic destruction aspect of that.'

    One needs to wonder who gave him this mandate, I don't remember seeing a national vote on this. Illegal protests aimed at harming others to push the agenda of a few can not be accepted in Canada, if there are going to be massive protests aimed at hamstringing our country there shoud also be massive arrests of those who break the law.

    Does any one know where the civil suit sits from the last time the Mohawks blockaded the rail line?
  2. Lawrence Hutchinson from Houston, United States writes: These threats should be considered domestic terrorism, pure and simple. If emergency vehicles cannot get through, people may die. Such tactics will prove counterproductive for the aboriginal cause.
  3. David Guy from Canada writes: The natives seem to have strong reason in objecting to the slow pace of land claim negotiations, but antics like this distract from their message. People like Shawn Brant, who is apparently acting on his own and without the approval of his band council, are creating a bad name for natives everywhere. Grow up, Mr. Brant.
  4. Jennifer Rollison from Canada writes: It will be interesting, later in the day, to read all the negative, biased, bigotted rants decrying Canada's first Nations people. I predict it will be by those who have no understanding of the background to these protests. You know, those who think their meagre tax dollars entitle them to rant belligerantly about the 'Indians'...I can hardly wait for the ignorant rhetoric to start flowing...bring it on...
  5. Jim Bradley from Disneyland-on-the-Rideau, Canada writes: It is reasonable to suggest that broadly speaking, there is sympathy for aboriginal issues amongst Canadians but it is also reasonable to point out that each time aboriginals decide the rule of law doesn't apply to them support for their cause diminishes. Disrupting road and rail traffic on Friday will not endear most of us to native issues and politicians will sense that lack of interest and will use it to continue to push these issues to the back burner. If natives want their issues dealt with they're going to have to get them onto the political radar and that means garnering support from all sectors of society. Shutting down roads and railways on the Friday before a long weekend in the summer would seem to be going in the opposite direction. Mr. Brant - are you listening?
  6. Bill M from Canada writes: '... Obviously we have a mandate to participate in an economic destruction aspect of that.'

    Maybe we should withdraw the $10 billion a year plus we give these people and see what economic destruction that causes. As for the golf course in B.C., give it to them. Right after it gets leveled.
  7. Ted Andrews from Canada writes:
    If indigenous people were treated with respect and fairness these actions would not be necessary.
    Approx. 800 land claims are unresolved.
    Most native people live in poverty.
    In a wealthy country like Canada this is unacceptable.
    Native people suffer from discrimination and bigotry.
    On June 29th remember this.
  8. W. Mayne from Markdale, Canada writes: First Nations want to use the law to obtain their due in land claims and other settlements, but now they want to abuse the law in their protests. I wonder how they would feel if a group of non-natives blockaded their reserves so they could not get on or off the reserves for a day!
  9. John Doe from Canada writes: If they are intent on hampering the economy or doing civil disobedience then use the rule of law and jail them.....if you want to do proper PR....then do advertisments on radio, tv and paper which will bring more awareness to the public about their plight/cause. When the public understands the issue will they only push their MP's to resolve the outstanding issues.....
  10. J G from Whitby, Canada writes: Yes they can protest but do so on Parliament Hill rather than holding innocent Canadians hostage with terrorists tactics. My sympathy was extremely high but at this point I say bring in the troops and do whatever is required to open the roads and rail lines. This is the most heavily travelled day of the year with tens of thousands travelling with children to visit family and friends and commence summer vacations. There will be car accidents and frustration and someone will get hurt. None of us should break the law let alone injure and disrupt the lives of others. Protest to the politicians. A committee and new process is being developed to settle land claims, some of which are questionable. Let that process start.
  11. Susan Friedman from Huntsville, Canada writes: Beware the backlash of speaking for all. Besides, there is a non violent response that non Indians may use to solve the blockade, should it occur. Vote with your feet and your dollars. Stop going to the casino. If the blockade is in effect on June 29, go to the movies or stay home with the family. But it will take everyone to be effective. While you are at home, give your MP a call to discuss options and opinions. Dialogue and money will solve all.
  12. Mr. Reilly from writes: I am sure if the government of Canada gave the Indians everything they wanted they still would not be satisfied. Hogs at the trough
  13. Pieter Funnekotter from Canada writes: It's sad to see that it's come to this again. I fear that every time there is a blockade, those who do not fully understand the issues (me included - I'll admit) lose a small amount of sympathy for the First Nations cause.

    I wish there was a better understanding on both sides to resolve these issues before the masses are considerably inconvenienced.
  14. Joe Wallach from Russell, Ontario, Canada writes: No one should be allowed to blackmail the people. If McGuinty had any intestinal fortitude at all he would, besides breaking his promises to the people of Ontario regarding taxes, make room for the protesters in the various 'hotels' available; let the OPP do their job!
  15. Phlegmatic Pundit from A point in space-time, Canada writes: 'Obviously we have a mandate to participate in an economic destruction aspect of that.''

    That couldn't possibly be construed as terrorism, could it?
  16. Stacey Hawkins from Hamilton, Canada writes: I think it will be difficult for average-joe-canadian to take these protests seriously when they learn how many millions of dollars the government lost because of one day of protest. Although most people are aware of the total lack of social support, not to mention a wealth of government mismanagement of Native affairs in this century, I can not foresee any politician empathizing with Mr. Brant's cause on a serious level when the laws of legal protest are not being abided by. I believe this is one of the main reasons little headway has been made for these Native protestors. Like many social activist groups have learned, you must work through the system already in place in order to have your cause seriously considered; they must meet them on their own playing field (the politicians) and beat them at their own game. Anything less is not taking seriously, or is simply brushed away as an act of terrorism. If the law is being broken, obviously the officials are going to focus on that above the cause of their unrest. If there are no infractions to speak of, then the cause itself stands on its own; politicians can not ignore the issue if there is nothing else to divert public's attention with. This inability to work within the laws of the average canadian in something as rudimentary as protesting, is my major disappointments with these particular native protestors. Not to mention the fact that this proposed illegal protest falls on the Canada day weekend which most might consider disrespectful. If stepping on toes is the name of this game, Mr. Brant and his protestors are doing a fine job at it. Unfortunately they are hurting the reputations of the rest of the First Nations who do play by the rules.
  17. For a Better Canada from No-Quebec, Canada writes: Give them a fair deal on land...and no more money. Both are losing time, energy, and no one is happy. They can build their own society, own school, own rules. No more interference on either side. They have their territories...and we keep our money for other social services to people in need.
  18. Whitby Man from Canada writes: Through inaction and political cowards our leaders have reaffirmed that domestic terrorism is effective and profitable. You can expect more of this destructive hooliganism in the future.
  19. MIchelle Hruschka from Canada writes: It would be most prudent that mainstream media gave both sides the opportunity to talk to Canadians about treaties and rights. More often then not, we do not have the opportunity to hear the other side which in my mind perpetuates ignorance.
  20. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Isn't it time for the Mohawks to return the land they accepted from the Crown to its rightful owners, the Algonkins, Cree, Ojibwa and Huron? When do we see a blockade of the Mohawk lands for that purpose?
  21. Rob M from Toronto, Canada writes: Put simply - any blockade would be an illegal act, which should be met with military force. It's about time that First Nations activists realize that they can't have their cake and eat it too... that is to say that if they want autonomy and self governance, they must govern responsibly and use the resources that the Canadian taxpayers give them properly and appropriately. It is indeed quite politically-incorrect to point out that they have gotten themselves in the position they're in - in spite of all the free hand-outs and exemptions that the rest of us would love to receive. If they want to keep enjoying all the freebies, they should obey the laws. If they don't wish to obey the laws, they should be restricted to their 'nations' and be required to enter Canada via passport, and therefore be subject to entry restrictions just the same as other foreigners/outsiders.
  22. Jane Benn from Canada writes: Should they really decide to shut down traffic on the 401 on the Friday before summer's first long weekend, Mr. Brant and his friends will be lucky if they do not provoke an outbreak of road rage the likes of which has not been seen before. SInce Dudley George and Ipperwash, the OPP have been extremely cautious in dealing with natives participating in these acts of civil disobedience. Can we really count on tens of thousands of hot, rushed, tired and cranky drivers to do the same?
  23. Tommy Shanks from T.O., Canada writes: I paid $800 for a weekend in Quebec. Some band wants to block the 401 and screw it up for my family, they will be sued and a garnishee will be served on wherever that band banks - now imagine if hundreds of other travelers did the same thing?
  24. Celine Brown from Canada writes: This really is domestic terrorism.

    Bring in the army and smash through the blockade.
  25. Chris H from To, Canada writes: This issue I think is more complex than it seems. Of course I am against the Natives blockading the 401 and rail line - and cannot support lawlessness; however, a hundred years of fruitless treaty negotiations - must be more than a little frustrating. One can say - have a day of education - teach people about yourselves - but there have been hundreds of Native pow wows and festivals and I do not see much changing for the Natives in Canada.
  26. Jack Robertson from Toronto, Canada writes: If these blockades and disruptions of vital services were carried out by any other individuals or groups, the media wouldn't hesitate to label them correctly as 'extortion' or perhaps even as 'domestic terrorism'. The federal and provincial governments shouldn't flinch from using any means necessary to deal with those who use 'native rights' as a smokescreen for their criminal acts. Unfortunately, the rights of the rest of society will probably be sacrificed again on the altar of 'political correctness'.

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