[Indigsol] Algonquin blockade broken up by tear gas, riot cops and 'pain compliance'

[mattm-b at resist.ca]

blockade broken up by tear gas, riot cops and 'pain compliance'

[Please forward widely!]

Starting at 6am this morning, families from the Algonquin community of
Barriere Lake have *blockaded highway 117 *in northern Quebec. They are
demanding that the Federal and Quebec governments *uphold the agreements
*they
signed with the community, and stop imposing illegitimate leadership on the
community in order to avoid their responsibilities.

*Update: *At 4:30pm this afternoon, dozens of riot cops overran the families
who were peacefully demonstrating. Riot cops surrounded the area, and
launched tear gas canisters, one of which hit a child in the chest. Nine
people, including an elder, a pregnant woman, and two minors, were arrested.
Eight demonstrators remained locked down to concrete-filled barrels, but
police used "pain compliance"--roughly, torture--to force them to let go,
and be arrested.

New photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31135244@N07/sets/72157607795831835/

The blockade has been violently dismantled, but the need to apply pressure
to the government has become more urgent. Please take a few minutes to show
your support.

*** What you can do right now to help: ***

We need people to let the government know that they support the demands
Barriere Lake has been fighting for for decades.

Please take 15 minutes to phone or fax a letter to some of the following:

* *Stephen Harper*, Prime Minister of Canada ( fax: 613-941-6900 )
* *Lawrence Cannon*, Transportation Minister and MP for Pontiac ( 613
992-2940 Fax: 613 944-9376 )
* *Chuck Strahl*, Minister of Indian Affairs ( 819 997-0002   Fax: 819
953-4941 )

*Use some of the following points (along with your own):*

* The government should immediately cease its intimidation tactics and
threats of violence

* The Federal government should honor the trilateral agreement it signed
with Barriere Lake

* Express support for the Barriere Lake community's struggle for the right
to choose its own leadership

* The federal government should immediately stop interfering in Barriere
Lake's internal affairs

*** More information: ***

Demands, and a list of groups that have endorsed them:
http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2008/03/mission.html

Photos of the current blockade:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31135244@N07/sets/72157607795831835/

A quick visual introduction to the community:
http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/1947

More information on how to support the Barriere Lake Algonquins:
http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2008/03/donations.html


Collectif de Solidarité Lac Barrière
*******************************************
www.solidaritelacbarriere.blogspot.com
barrierelakesolidarity at gmail.com
514.398.7432