Caledonia native standoff turns ugly

Apr, 20 2006 - 4:40 PM

CALEDONIA (AM900 CHML) - Chaos in Caledonia.

OPP launched a pre-dawn raid, arresting 16 native protesters occupying a construction site in the town.

But just before 8:30, police left the scene in a long convoy, and several hundred protestors are back on the housing development site.

Some received minor injuries during the raid, including a woman who says she was pepper sprayed.

Provincial Police say among the 3 officers who received minor injuries, 1 needed stitches to the head after getting hit with a bag of rocks.

Protesters have set up blockades and have set a tire fire about a kilometre south of the site on Highway 6.

There are fears and rumours within the town suggesting more natives may be on their way, and there's word a flyer is being circulated that reads, "Oka 2 begins today".

First Nations Chief David General is appealing for calm, but adds no one is listening to native leaders.

Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer is hoping for peace but adds the military should be called in if the situation gets out of hand.

Reports suggested about 1,000 officers were on on standby just outside of Caledonia, but OPP Deputy Commissioner Maurice Pilon says police have no immediate plans to return to the site.

This was the 52nd day of a protest and police say they moved in because an escalation in activity posed a risk to public safety.

The natives claim the construction site is on Six Nations land.