[IPSM] Natives block rail line in eastern Ont. in support of Caledonia standoff

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Natives block rail line in eastern Ont. in support of Caledonia standoff
2 hours, 14 minutes ago

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20060421/ca_pr_on_na/native_occupation

CALEDONIA, Ont. (CP) - A native group is holding up train traffic in 
eastern Ontario to show support for native protesters maintaining 
barricades in Caledonia, south of Hamilton.

Tyendinaga Mohawk protesters lit bonfires around midnight beside CN Rail 
tracks on their territory about 20 kilometres east of Belleville, Ont.

By sunrise, at least six CN freight trains were waiting to get through, 
according to Tyendinega Mohawk spokesman Shawn Brant.

VIA Rail says as a result of the blockage, trains operating between 
Toronto and Kingston, Ont., in both directions are being replaced by 
chartered bus this morning.

The buses will make all regularly scheduled stops at VIA stations and 
some delays are likely, according to a statement issued by Via Rail.

Brant says about 30 Mohawks on the scene will remain "until proper, 
dignified and respectful talks" are held to resolve the Caledonia dispute.

It was a quiet night at the Caledonia standoff, where natives remain 
inside barricades they erected yesterday.

Huge truckloads of gravel and piles of burning tires were placed on a 
main road leading to the 40-hectare tract of disputed land.

Early this morning, a few fire trucks and an ambulance were allowed 
through the barricades, but there was no indication why the vehicles 
were required.

Natives had occupied the entrance to the development site for 52 days 
until many were arrested in a police raid early yesterday.

Meetings are expected today in an attempt to end the standoff, but 
there's no indication of where and when it might be held.

Two area school boards, Grand Erie District School Board and the 
Brant-Haldimand and Norfolk Catholic District School Board, have closed 
their schools in Caledonia today.

Both boards say as long as there is no escalation of tensions at the 
occupation site, they plan to reopen schools on Monday.




Canadian Press Photo: A railway bridge burns in Caledonia, Ontario on 
Thursday April 20, 2006. Six Nations Native...

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-- 
Macdonald Stainsby
http://independentmedia.ca/survivingcanada
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope
    --Bertholt Brecht.