[IPSM] Kanehsatake Update

[Devin Butler]

Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 15:43:14 -0400

UPDATE

New Attempts to Bring Gabriel's Police into Kanehsatake

Since the April 1st deadline for the imposition of a new police force and 
the illegal "Kanesatake Public Security Commission" under the Quebec, 
Canada, and James Gabriel Tripartite Policing Agreement [TPA], there has 
been almost daily attempts to install members of the new TPA sanctioned 
police in Kanehsatake. However, these attempts have failed. On the evening 
of Sunday April 4th 2004 the newly appointed co-chief of police for 
Kanehsatake David Eddy Thompson attempted to bring in two police officers 
from the community of Rapid Lake [located between Mount Laurier and Val Dor 
Quebec]. In what was perceived by the community based Band Council members 
and the community recognized Kanehsatake Police Commission, as an effort by 
Thompson and James Gabriel to slowly introduce new police officers and 
replace those officers sanctioned by the above and currently working. The 
two police officers in question are Chad and Jason Tusky. These two officers 
were involved during the botched operation of January 12 2004, they also 
stand accused of the theft of firearms from the Kanesatake Police station 
when they withdrew the following day. This action has effectively caused 
both the Kanehsatake Police Commission and the community based Band 
councilors to have doubts as to honesty and sincerity of David Eddy Thompson 
in working toward an equitable resolution to the problem in Kanehsatake.

Municipality of Oka in Collusion with James Gabriel

On the outside of the Village of Oka directly across from Oka Provincial 
Park and within earshot of the Sûreté du Québec detachment at Oka is the 
office of Oka mayor Yvan Patry. It is within this office that members of 
James Gabriel's police force are both being housed and are using as their 
operational headquarters. It has also come to the attention of community 
members that it is in this office space that telephone conversations and 
e-mails are being monitored and intercepted. Located between these two above 
mentioned offices is a Bell Quebec relay box that is being continually 
guarded by a Sûreté du Québec patrol vehicle and three to four police 
officers at all times. The box and the officers guarding it are clearly 
visible from route 344. They have been in that position since March 30th 
2004. Many community members have complained of interference with their 
phone lines and e-mails since that date, some also report that voice mails 
have been erased or not received over Bell's message system.

Tension Still High in Kanehsatake

Although the April 1st 2004 has come and gone without serious incidents, 
there still exists a great deal of tension and anger. Many community members 
feel that there is still a danger that Gabriel and his police force will 
move into Kanehsatake and carryout some form of retribution against the 
community and specific community members for the January 12th incidents-the 
protest at the police station and the burning of Gabriel's house-without an 
distinction between the two actions. There are rumors circulating throughout 
Kanehsatake that arrest warrants for all community members who were present 
at the police station on the 12th and 13th of January 2004 have been made, 
this is only fueling the animosity, paranoia, anger, and anxiety in 
Kanehsatake.

Concerned Kanehsatake Community Members

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