[IPSM] Cecil Bernard George expected to die at the Ipperwash occupation

[Ishaq]

 http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2004/12/35680.php

Cecil Bernard George expected to die at the Ipperwash occupation

    Native witness Cecil Bernard George broke down in tears yesterday as
    he described futile attempts to convince riot police to put away
    their weapons and stop their march on occupiers of Ipperwash
    Provincial Park. "I told them, if you want a fight, deal with me,
    leave these people alone" George, 50, said.

'I knew they were coming'

Cecil Bernard George expected to die at the Ipperwash occupation.

JOHN MINER, London Free Press Reporter
2004-12-08 02:47:07

FOREST -- Native witness Cecil Bernard George broke down in tears 
yesterday as he described futile attempts to convince riot police to put 
away their weapons and stop their march on occupiers of Ipperwash 
Provincial Park. "I told them, if you want a fight, deal with me, leave 
these people alone" George, 50, said.

The judicial inquiry into the killing of native protester Dudley George 
was shown graphic photographs of injuries the former Kettle Point band 
councillor suffered when he was beaten by the provincial police riot squad.

His injuries, outlined by lead commission counsel Derry Millar, included 
cuts and bruises on his head, chest, back, arms and legs. He still has 
scars on his face.

George, commonly known by his nickname, Slippery, wasn't part of the 
1995 occupation of the provincial park.

On the night of the confrontation between police and natives that ended 
with the shooting of protester Dudley George, Cecil George said he went 
to the park because he was concerned about the safety of his sister and 
brother, who were part of the group occupying the park.

George testified he handed out two-way radios to the park occupiers and 
then headed down the road in the night toward an area where he had seen 
a police buildup.

Part way there, he heard footsteps on the road and shortly could see by 
the moonlight officers with shields approaching in formation.

George testified he decided he had to try to talk to them. "The first 
thing I told them was to put their guns away."

Instead of replying, the police started moving faster.

Retreating into the park, George said he watched as riot police rushed 
to the fence and tried to hit the natives on the other side with batons.

Sobbing occasionally, George said he struggled for years to understand 
what he did next. "At that point I had nothing left inside of me but 
anger for what they did," he said. "No one would come out to talk to us."

The band councillor said he then picked up a metal pipe and approached 
the double line of riot police. He heard someone give the command to the 
riot police: "Punch-out."

"I knew they were coming to punch me and everyone else that were in the 
way. They had no feelings. They were afraid of the Indians. The Indians 
had sticks and stones and they had guns."

George said he swung his metal pipe at one officer and heard a sound 
like glass breaking. Then it was like he was in a nightmare, he said.

"I seen shadows around me, hitting at me, trying to kill me. That was my 
dream that they were going to kill me," he said.

George said he later learned he was taken to Strathroy General Hospital, 
where he was treated two days before being taken to jail in Sarnia.

He was initially told he was being charged with attempted murder. Later 
he was charged with assault with a weapon, assaulting a police officer 
and mischief. All the charges were later dismissed.

Cross examination of George is scheduled to continue this morning.

http://www.ipperwashinquiry.ca/


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