Update: Support and Stay Tuned:Struggle Continues Against Armed Border Guards in Akwesasne Three Mohawks Still in Jail in the Quinte Regional Detention Centre (June 29th, 2009) On June 1st, the Harper government’s decision to allow Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) border guards carry sidearms was scheduled to be enforced, but the community resistance of Akwesasne Mohawks resulted in the closing of the border by the Canadian government. Since then, the Mohawks of Akwesasne continue to resist the imposition of armed border guards by the CBSA. Throughout the Mohawk Nation, actions have been taken demanding that the Canadian government enter into negotiations on the issue. On Sunday June 7, Mohawks shut down the Skyway Bridge, which links Prince Edward County to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville, Ontario, in solidarity with the community of Akwesasne. Despite tremendous police pressure, Tyendinaga Mohawks held the bridge until early Friday morning when local police and the OPP moved in and ended the blockade. Thirteen people were charged and several Mohawk protesters sustained minor injuries. Two people were taken to hospital, but were later released into police custody. Out of the thirteen arrested, three Mohawks are still in jail. All of them are being held at the Quinte Regional Detention Centre. Paul VanHooser and Charles Kloestra have been denied bail and are detained until trial on mischief charges. The Crown is seeking a 6-month sentence for each of them. Shawn Brant, who was still living under a conditional sentence for participating in previous blockades, is also being held in custody at least until he serves out his conditional sentence in prison, until the end of July. He is charged with mischief and breaching his conditions. A trial date has not yet been set in his case, and there is no decision yet on whether he will be held in custody until trial. After the OPP ended the Skyway Bridge blockade, women from the community of Tyendinaga returned to the site and retook the bridge for the remainder of the day, as a further show of resolve to see that this issue is dealt with in good faith, through respectful nation-to-nation negotiation. Please show solidarity by writing to Paul VanHooser, Charles Kloestra, and Shawn Brant still in custody at: Name of Person c/o Quinte Regional Detention Centre 89 Richmond Blvd. Napanee, ON K7R 3S1 **Please note: your letters of support are much appreciated but the jail WILL NOT accept any of the following: photocopied materials, anything with staples, coloured paper, pictures, newspaper or magazine articles. Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To see photos of the Skyway Bridge protest aftermath, go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/jmkane1220/TyendinagaAftermath# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Tyendinaga Support Committee
Updsdfate: Support and Stay Tuned Struggle Continues Against Armed Border Guards in Akwesasne Three Mohawks Still in Jail in the Quinte Regional Detention Centre (June 29th, 2009) On June 1st, the Harper government’s decision to allow Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) border guards carry sidearms was scheduled to be enforced, but the community resistance of Akwesasne Mohawks resulted in the closing of the border by the Canadian government. Since then, the Mohawks of Akwesasne continue to resist the imposition of armed border guards by the CBSA. Throughout the Mohawk Nation, actions have been taken demanding that the Canadian government enter into negotiations on the issue. On Sunday June 7, Mohawks shut down the Skyway Bridge, which links Prince Edward County to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville, Ontario, in solidarity with the community of Akwesasne. Despite tremendous police pressure, Tyendinaga Mohawks held the bridge until early Friday morning when local police and the OPP moved in and ended the blockade. Thirteen people were charged and several Mohawk protesters sustained minor injuries. Two people were taken to hospital, but were later released into police custody. Out of the thirteen arrested, three Mohawks are still in jail. All of them are being held at the Quinte Regional Detention Centre. Paul VanHooser and Charles Kloestra have been denied bail and are detained until trial on mischief charges. The Crown is seeking a 6-month sentence for each of them. Shawn Brant, who was still living under a conditional sentence for participating in previous blockades, is also being held in custody at least until he serves out his conditional sentence in prison, until the end of July. He is charged with mischief and breaching his conditions. A trial date has not yet been set in his case, and there is no decision yet on whether he will be held in custody until trial. After the OPP ended the Skyway Bridge blockade, women from the community of Tyendinaga returned to the site and retook the bridge for the remainder of the day, as a further show of resolve to see that this issue is dealt with in good faith, through respectful nation-to-nation negotiation. Please show solidarity by writing to Paul VanHooser, Charles Kloestra, and Shawn Brant still in custody at: Name of Person c/o Quinte Regional Detention Centre 89 Richmond Blvd. Napanee, ON K7R 3S1 **Please note: your letters of support are much appreciated but the jail WILL NOT accept any of the following: photocopied materials, anything with staples, coloured paper, pictures, newspaper or magazine articles. Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To see photos of the Skyway Bridge protest aftermath, go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/jmkane1220/TyendinagaAftermath# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Tyendinaga Support Committee