By Karen Best
Review Staff Writer
Haldimand Review
A mother maintained her composure as she told a crowd of more than 2,000 how her children are suffering. In an unwavering voice, she said her six year old son and 12 year old daughter were imprisoned in their school and home.
"Our youngest is fearful to be anywhere in the house, including the washroom, without a family member with him. Our oldest cries. She is afraid and wants to know who will help up," AnneMarie VanSickle read from a prepared statement at the
She and husband Paul moved into their home bordering Douglas Creek Estates on Feb. 26. Two days later a group of Six Nations residents began an occupation of that subdivision – which continues because some members of the aboriginal community claim the land was never surrendered or sold in 1841 as contended by the
Their dream home became hell, VanSickle said. ATVs roar around their home at all hours and hammering and gunshots disturb their peace. In this southwest section of
Her children suffer emotionally and many youngsters in the area are in counseling due to lack of sleep and inability to concentrate.
"Our children deserve better," VanSickle said. "How dare you blatantly disregard their right to be safe at school and at home."
VanSickle, who said she fears for her family's and neighbours' lives, was one of the speakers at the rally portion of the March for Freedom presented by
Seven ambulances were on standby in the area plus a fully-staffed fire truck.
Hundreds of OPP officers and numerous
VanSickle criticized the Canadian government for negotiation while the town was held hostage and described the OPP as non-viable. She demanded public apologies from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
On behalf of
VanSickle insisted on restoration of normalcy so children can play in their backyards and "live without fear". The large crowd listened intently to the mother's presentation.
While speeches were underway, natives driving a dozen vehicles roared into the parking lot with horns blaring, people yelling and flags waving. Without any OPP action to stop them, the first vehicle rolled over sawhorse-style barricades at the back of the arena.
Dave Ruud of
Later residents said this was an example of the double standard of law. An hour later police did prevent
During the drive by, residents blocked a vehicle driven by Wayne Lickers of Six Nations. Police allowed him to continue. He said he came through to see what was going on and to listen. People yelled at him to go home but he noted that he was within six miles of the
"This is my home," he said.
In 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand granted Six Nations six miles on either side of the
Marylou LaPratte of Ipperwash told the crown that no police force is enforcing the law in a provincial park or army camp occupied by natives. The camp was a reserve and was expropriated by the federal government during the Second World War. She stunned listeners by saying the story is not finished 15 years after land claims started.
Denial of safety of person and property is a disgrace to what democracy stands for, said La Pratte.
Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett, who represents Six Nations as well, also called for the return of the rule of law to restore safety and security for Six Nations and
"We can not have a double standard. There is one law for all Canadians," he said.
Fear and intimidation continue for both communities, Barrett said.
"This land dispute should never have been allowed to spiral out of control to this point," he said.
Barrett offered suggestions. Ensuring Six Nations dignity, the government should ask them to leave the land which should be held in trust without changes until negotiations are completed, he said.
During the rally, McHale said the March for Freedom already made its point. He attracted the attention of the media on how average citizens are fed up with the OPP and lawlessness. National television networks and more than a dozen newspapers including the New York Times covered the event.
He also announced that an OPP Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere checkpoint was slowing down traffic into town.
McHale then told the audience that the march would follow a route pre-approved by OPP.
Earlier he told media that arrangements were made Saturday night after a native website posted claims of impending violence from a rifle range.
Just before
At the intersection of
From there the group went into the
Against his wishes about 40 people approached the fence. One man held up a sign about Canadians paying taxes toward a crown of Six Nations supporters on DCE. After, he expressed his anger over the situation and said it was time for an armed revolution.
In front of the school, McHale tried to regain control and asked people to retrace their steps back to the arena. Well over half the crown ignored him and walked to
Over the past seven months, the street has been the site of many protests and clashes between Six Nations and
From the store's southern entrance to the Highway 6 bypass, the county had set up a temporary no-parking zone.
Police in tactical gear lined the shoulders of the street in front of the store to prevent the crowd from choking off traffic and from proceeding to DCE.
More than 1,000 Six Nations members and supporters were gathered on the site more than 300 metres away.
Near the store, one
Jim Irwin stood nose-to-nose with an OPP officer. The
Irwin attended with his Six Nations friend Deryck Johnson, who has been victim to racist slurs. A
On DCE, Six Nations members and supporters gathered for a peace picnic. Days earlier, Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Ramsay asked them to move the picnic to another location and asked McHale to call off entry into the site.
Around
Jamieson reiterated that Six Nations has jurisdiction and title of DCE.
"It's ours. We've repossessed our land," she said.
Mark Vorobej, of
Between
Later OPP reported arresting three men for breach of peace and two women for intoxication. Acting OPP commissioner Jay Hope commended officers for showing great restraint and professionalism ensuring peace.