Proposed march raises concerns

By Karen Best
Review Staff Writer
Haldimand Review
September 22, 2006

A proposed demonstration by thousands of people protesting police and government actions is raising concerns among authorities.

The OPP, the federal ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs and politicians from all levels of government are worried about public safety.

Gary McHale of Richmond Hill is planning to hold a March for Freedom that he expected to attract 20,000 people.

"I'm not under any illusion that things won't become violent," he said. "There are hot heads on both sides. I will do everything I can to ensure it is peaceful." He announced the event which he wanted to hold on Douglas Creek Estates (DCE) a few weeks ago. The construction site located on the southern edge of Caledonia has been occupied by some Six Nations members since Feb. 28.

McHale said they have had the land for seven months and others should be able to use it for a day or two. He would like to have a day to set up a stage for the Oct. 15 rally. He expects the event to run for about five hours beginning around noon. On Oct. 16, volunteers would dismantle the stage and clean up the Ontario owned land.

As a Canadian citizen who talks to Canadian government, McHale believes it is not necessary to ask native occupiers for permission to enter the land. He sent letters about the event to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, with copies to the Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs and the Attorney General, and to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"I don't think that (the march) would be helpful. We're making progress with negotiations," said David Ramsay, the Ontario minister responsible for aboriginal affairs. Ramsay emphasized the situation will be resolved at the negotiating tables. "It is not going to be resolved by people screaming at each other," he said.

A few weeks ago McHale decided to organize the march to protest what he describes as two tier justice and to demand equality of rights under law. The demonstration is against the OPP and the Ontario government. Participants will not be allowed to bring signs displaying messages against natives, the occupation or land claims. Racial statements will not be permitted, he said.

In Caledonia, OPP practice racial profiling and there is no equality under the law, said McHale. "That's why this is a civil rights movement," he added.

A committee of eight people is assisting him by checking into parking options such as schools and the fairgrounds. Food vendors will be invited to come out and portable toilets will be set up. A committee member has asked Haldimand County about required permits.

Mayor Marie Trainer said an event license is required but will not be issued until proof of insurance is provided. McHale has contacted several insurance companies and none offer insurance for political rallies.

He hoped to set up a marshalling area on the north side of the river and have demonstrators march down Argyle Street to DCE. McHale, who has never participated in a rally or march, expects police will refuse to let demonstrators onto the land. He hopes to stage a media photo opportunity of a woman being arrested for entry. Demonstrators and consumers of TV and national and Toronto newspapers will see natives can come and go and non-natives cannot, he said. "it's up to the provincial government to ensure peace and safety," said McHale. He accused police and government of playing political games by staying out of planning. In the early organization stages, he asked for the Canadian military or Royal Canadian Mounted Police to provide demonstrators protection from the OPP. RCMP will not be provide security for the event because Caledonia is in OPP territory, said Bill Rodgers, who is the communication director for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada minister Jim Prentice."

McHale confirmed a bus will be coming from Ipperwash and that people will come from Hamilton and Brantford. He hoped some Toronto citizens will also attend. He has received messages of support from Caledonia residents. Now that Haldimand Norfolk Brant MPP Toby Barrett has agreed to speak at the rally, he or members of the event committee will actively solicit busloads.

This week Barrett accepted the invitation to speak contingent on Premier Dalton McGuinty and OPP doing their job. The MPP recently told reporters it was the responsibility of the Ontario government and the OPP to ensure any assembly is safe. All along he has stood behind OPP. "In a democracy, people have the right to assemble," he said.

OPP look at the proposed march from a different perspective. "Entry onto the land can be perceived as an aggressive act," said OPP Constable Paula Wright. "Perceived or actual it is counter productive to a peaceful resolution."

Entry of thousands of people on to DCE could be a breach of peace which is an arrestable offence, she said. When asked if OPP will keep demonstrators off the land, Wright indicated that police will monitor the event. "The OPP will not allow situations to develop that are counterproductive to the peaceful resolution," said Wright.

"Hopefully it (the march) doesn't happen," said Trainer. "If they go out on the site while the natives are there and they have not agreed to have it, there will definitely be a confrontation."

History has shown that any time a large crowd has gathered around DCE, it has not been calm, pointed out Ken Hewitt of the Caledonia Citizens Alliance. "The residents who live here I'm sure would be concerned with people coming from out of town and possibly causing trouble that leaves us here holding the bag," he said. The intentions may be pure and peaceful but with a crowd that size, it will be impossible to control everybody, said Hewitt. "We live in a democracy," said Haldimand Norfolk MP Diane Finley when asked about the march. "All I want is peace for this to get resolved as quickly and as safely as possible."