By KATIE DAWSON
The Sachem
Tensions rose slightly on Saturday, January 20th as Richmond Hill resident Gary McHale faced off with Natives at a property along Argyle Street around 12:30 in the afternoon. McHale's third rally in Caledonia saw many residents, as well as outsiders, gather to ask OPP why it was legal for a Native person to raise the Canadian Flag along Argyle St. and not for a white person.
"In the past several months Richmond Hill resident Gary McHale and other agitators have attempted to use Canadian patriotism as an excuse to cause disruption and divert attention away from the real issue here, which is Six Nations land rights," a press release from Six Nations stated on Friday.
"It is unfortunate that we even have to deal with publicity hounds like Mr. Gary McHale when we have the very real rights of the Six Nations people at stake here," says Hazel Hill, Kanonhstaton spokeswoman. "To put an end to the Canadian flag issue, and in respect of both Canadian and American supporters who have lent their time and support to Six Nations, and sent flags to Kanonhstaton, and to reflect the dual citizenship of our peoples, Kanonhstaton will be flying both Canadian and American flags along with the Haudenosaunee flag."
"But let us be clear about this," said Ms. Hill. "This is about the land. Our land. Our rights. It is unfortunate that some people see this for what they can gain while using the insecurities and fears of the Caledonia residents to promote the goals of hatred, racism and bigotry." McHale's question was left unanswered, even after he spoke with OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino who was in Caledonia that day.
His goal Saturday, as he stated in a "town hall meeting" on January 14th in Caledonia, was to have 50 people arrested for putting up Canadian flags. There was not a single arrest on January 20th. After a few moments of having his questions ignored on the Canadian Tire side of DCE, McHale got in a van and headed to property owned by Chris Syrie on the south side of DCE on Argyle St. This is when officers managed to keep the peace as tempers flared on the Native side.
McHale stood silently with supporters waving Canadian flags while Natives on the Douglas Creek Estates land shouted comments and told Gary numerous times to go home. "You're provoking us Gary," one Native man said numerous times. The London police were in full RIOT gear as they watched from afar, with OPP standing between Caledonia residents and Natives.
McHale has been on the path to fighting "two-tier justice" in Caledonia since August. In a press release on January 19th, Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer stressed that "Haldimand County does not welcome anyone into our community who has the intention of breaking the law, getting arrested or inciting violence. These types of behaviours jeopardize officer and public safety for the sake of a wilful and purposeless arrest." McHale left Saturday to return to his home, saying he will be taking the month of February off, but will return with more plans against "two-tier justice" in March.