[IPSM] Tension rises in Caledonia (globe and mail)

[Nora Butler Burke]

(there are racist and arrogant comments already popping up in response to
this article...see "latest comments" here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061011.wcaled1011/BNStory/National/home)

Tension rises in Caledonia
CHINTA PUXLEY

Canadian Press

TORONTO — The mayor of Haldimand County is prepared to declare a state of
emergency in Caledonia, Ont., this weekend after the province said it
won't stop a potentially dangerous rally and it's counting on police to
prevent bloodshed.

Mayor Marie Trainer said she'll be on standby and hopes rain might deter
people from participating in a rally at the former housing development
site that has been occupied by aboriginal protesters since February.

“I'm very concerned,” said Ms. Trainer, adding she's worried police may
not be able to stop clashes between occupiers and rally participants.
“It's almost 100 per cent that something will happen.”

The rally has been organized to protest the ongoing aboriginal occupation
and is to include a march on the disputed land, which is now owned by the
province.

Six Nations protesters have asked supporters to pressure the government to
block the rally for fear it could spark more violent clashes between the
occupiers and residents.

But David Ramsay, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, said the
government has done everything it can. The province has asked rally
organizers to stay away from the former housing development site, he said.

“What we've said is this is a very dangerous pursuit . . . to have a
protest on that property,” Mr. Ramsay told reporters Wednesday. “We're
very concerned about it. It is a threat to public safety and we've asked
(organizers) not to do it.”

The government has no intention of seeking an injunction to prevent the
march even though Mr. Ramsay said it is “very dangerous and a risk to
public safety.”

People who participate in the rally are putting their lives in danger, he
added. But it's up to the provincial police — not the province — to stop
the rally before it turns violent, Mr. Ramsay said.

“We're not washing our hands of it but the police are there to protect
people and property,” he said.

Jay Hope, acting commissioner of the provincial police, said in a
statement that police are “well prepared to deal with any situation that
may arise as a result of this weekend's anticipated rally.”

Police will not allow the “hard work and commitment to ensuring a long
lasting and peaceful resolution to be derailed,” Mr. Hope stated.

Premier Dalton McGuinty dismissed rally organizers as publicity hounds and
said they should consider protesting at the Ontario legislature to prevent
any potential for violence.

“There is a particular individual who thrives on the oxygen of publicity,”
he said.

“If somebody has a particular beef with a government, there is a
legitimate way to give expression to that criticism. I would encourage
that individual to come to the front lawn of Queen's Park.”

But Conservative Tim Hudak said the government is ignoring the situation
and needs to end the ongoing occupation. The rally shows town residents
have had enough, he said.

“People are not only angry, they're damn angry,” Mr. Hudak said. “It's an
incredible double standard. On the one hand, the premier is against this
rally but it's carte blanche for the occupiers on the occupied site.”

The province shouldn't continue negotiating with Six Nations as long as
the protesters remain on the site, Mr. Hudak said. “There is no reason for
that occupation to continue,” he said.

Six Nations protesters have occupied the land since February, claiming it
was taken illegally from them over 200 years ago. Their occupation has
been marred by violent clashes with residents and barricades that cut the
town in half.

Protesters say they will remain on the site — through the winter if
necessary — until the land is returned to them.

New Democrat Michael Prue said he hopes this weekend's rally goes ahead
peacefully — with police ready to step in at the first sign of conflict.

“The police have to be very vigilant,” he said. “If these people show up
with pitchforks and guns, I would hope the police would shut them down
pretty fast.”