By KATIE DAWSON
The Sachem
Posted Feb. 6, 2007
The Canadian flags on Chris and Lisa Syrie's vacant property on Argyle St. stayed up for barely two weeks. It was on the 25th of January that Lisa and Chris were informed by citizens that the flags had been taken down. "We received an anonymous phone call to let us know that the flags were stolen," says Lisa. The Syries went directly to the OPP.
Since a car has been stationed just South of Douglas Creek Estates since the occupation began, the Syries figured the officers must have seen something.
Their property is butted up to DCE and can be seen from Argyle St. outside of Canadian Tire. "We know that it happened in the morning because there were fresh footsteps in the snow," says Lisa. The couple was also told by their anonymous tipster that two persons were seen taking the flags down and walking down Argyle St. with them. On January 10th there was an incident at the property when Chris put up his Canadian flags and No Trespassing signs. A native man came onto the property and took the flag down, tossing it on the ground. The entire scene was caught on video and can be viewed on caledoniawakeupcall.com.
OPP officers asked the man to leave the property, which he did.
For some time, about a dozen OPP officers stood between Syrie's property and a small group of Natives. Things eventually mollified and the flags were left flying until late last week. Chris has given a statement to the OPP, and has demanded that something be done about the theft of his property. "We have never disrespected their flag," says Lisa. "They have crossed the line."
Lisa says she and her husband are simply proud Canadians, and for anyone to disrespect that is unfair. She says the hardest part about the entire situation is that no one seems to be doing anything about it. "We want the OPP to step up and do something."
Also noticeable is the lack of Canadian and American flag across the street from the occupation site entrance which Native had put up prior to Gary McHale's last visit.