[IPSM] Press Coverage of Demonstrations in Support of Trevor Miller

[fiona at resist.ca]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [six_nations_info] Press Coverage of Demonstrations in Support of
Trevor Miller From:    stef at tao.ca
Date:    Mon, December 18, 2006 2:19 pm
To:      six_nations_info at masses.tao.ca
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Natives demand release of Six Nations protester
December 18, 2006
Chinta Puxley
Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061218.woccupa1218/BNStory/National/home

Toronto — A Six Nations protester arrested during the ongoing aboriginal
occupation in Caledonia, Ont., is a “political prisoner” who remains in
jail to deter other aboriginals from standing up for their land rights,
demonstrators protesting his incarceration said Monday.

A group of about 30 protesters demonstrated outside the attorney general's
office in Toronto to demand the release of Trevor Miller. The 31-year-old
was jailed in August, accused of assaulting two members of a television
crew near the occupied former housing development site in Caledonia.

But to protester Pat Houlley, Miller is an aboriginal who was standing up
for his community.

“He was doing what any Mohawk man should do in this circumstance,” said
Mr. Houlley, who came from Six Nations in New York state. “When a Mohawk
man was called to protect the women and children and the territory, he
answered that call.”

Mr. Miller should never have been charged, Mr. Houlley said, because he
isn't subject to Canadian law. Aboriginals have maintained their
traditional way of life and have never accepted the country's law on their
land, he said.

“We've never abandoned our traditional government nor been conquered by
any war,” Mr. Houlley said. “He is being held as a hostage, a political
prisoner.”

Mohawk Stuart Myiow said few people are kept in jail for five months on an
assault charge. Mr. Miller was arrested and isn't being released because
the government wants to deter other aboriginals from sticking up for their
land rights, Mr. Myiow said.

“The government is saying to native people, ‘You try to stand up for any
of your rights and we're going to criminalize you,”' he said.

“They let rapists out, murderers out, child molesters out on bail. And
they're denying somebody (bail) who was standing up clearly within his
right.”

The demonstrators had hoped to meet with Attorney General Michael Bryant,
but spoke to someone from his office instead.

This isn't the first time demonstrators have demanded Miller's freedom.
Protesters have also been picketing outside the jail in Hamilton, Mr.
Myiow said.

During Mr. Miller's last court appearance Dec. 12, supporters carrying
feathers and flags demanded his release. Mr. Miller has said he isn't a
Canadian citizen and isn't subject to the law. His next court appearance
is scheduled for January.

Six Nations protesters have occupied the Caledonia site, just south of
Hamilton, since February and say they won't leave until the land is
returned to them.

The 10-month occupation has been heated, with several clashes between
residents and Six Nations protesters. This past weekend, two men
protesting the occupation were arrested for breach of the peace after
attempting to hang Canadian flags near the disputed land.

They were released without being charged. But they said a local house,
where those protesting the occupation gathered, was trashed. The
protesters said there is graffiti inside the building, with obscene
language and “racist go home” scrawled on the walls.


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Vigil held for jailed Six Nations man
Ted Brellisford, the Hamilton Spectator
(Dec 11, 2006)

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1165792210513&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1014656511815
Supporters of Trevor Miller, a Six Nations man arrested in connection with
violent incidents near the former Douglas Creek Estates, held a peaceful
vigil Saturday, saying he should be released from jail.

About 30 people gathered outside the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre,
where Miller is being held, on Saturday to show support.

The group waved flags and wore signs urging the government to free Miller.

Several cars drove by honking to show their support.

Miller, 31, was arrested in August and is charged with robbery and assault
for the alleged attack of two CH TV staffers as they tried to film native
protesters swarming a car near the disputed lands.

Miller is also charged with robbery in connection with the theft of a U.S.
Border Patrol vehicle.

Miller has been denied bail, but will appear in a Cayuga court today for a
bail review hearing.

Miller's supporters said if he does not make bail, they will hold another
vigil outside the jail on Thursday.

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