English stories

Demonstrators leave blockade in Kahnawake

le vendredi 06 mars 2020
Modifié à 14 h 46 min le 06 mars 2020
Par Valérie Lessard

vlessard@gravitemedia.com

The demonstrators who blocked the train tracks in Kahnawake since February 10 announced that they were moving their camp to the border of Route 132 on the afternoon of Thursday, March 5. The announcement was made during a press scrum in the middle of  Route 132 which had been blocked in both directions during about 10 minutes not far from the Mercier Bridge in Kahnawake. A spokesperson from the Land Defenders who were watching over the fire at the barricade, Karonhiarokwas Roxann Whitebean, told the media that they were ‘’relocating the fire to be visible for every commuter that crosses the Mercier Bridge, to show that we are here to stay for as long as the Wet’suwet’en need us to do so.’’ The spokesperson indicated that this consisted of a proof of good faith and a desire for a peaceful resolution of this conflict on the part of the aboriginal nations. The Mohawk nation will follow the evolution of the situation in British Columbia. ‘’Depending on how Canada moves forward, we are ready to react and will ensure that our rights and lands will no longer be violated,’’ Whitebean explained. The new camp on Route 132 will not disrupt automobile traffic. This site has already been used in the past by the Mohawks to defend their rights. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake commented via a communique on the lif’’ing of the barricade on the rails. ‘’The actions taken, while dramatic, were a sincere and peaceful expression of support for the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs in their dispute regarding the planned pipeline through their territory. It is clear that this action had an influence in bringing all parties to the table to meet face-to-face to address matters directly,’’ the communiqué read. The day before, the group had accepted that Canadian Pacific Railways could inspect its rails. Some CP employees had also removed the snow that was accumulated on the train tracks. The barricade was preventing the passage of freight and suburban trains that link Candiac to Montreal. CP Rail had obtained an injunction on February 25 demanding the dismantlement of the barricade, but this had not been served by the police. It was valid until March 5. (Translation Dan Rosenburg)