Native protest at Hagersville site

OPP commissioner meets on plan of action

By JOE WARMINGTON, Sun Media
May 23, 2007

In a scene strikingly similar to the Caledonia standoff, native protesters took over a construction site in nearby Hagersville on Wednesday morning.

The scene was peaceful as of 11 a.m. and it resembled a sit-in.

The disputed property, just minutes from the site of the 15-month Caledonia standoff, has been occupied by about two dozen native protesters.

"The construction has been halted," a source close to the scene, which is off Hwy 6 in the community southwest of Hamilton, told Sun Media.

The protesters took control of the property of overnight. Between 15 and 25 protesters, along with seven vehicles draped with Mohawk Warrior flags, remained at the scene Wednesday.

The OPP are also on the scene. As of 9 a.m., about 20 cruisers circled the site.

Negotiators were also placed on standby.

"We are assessing the situation," OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino told Sun Media.

Fantino was in meetings Wednesday morning to determine the next course of action.

The OPP has been mired in a 15-month standoff with Mowhawk natives from Brantford's Six Nations over a land claim at a housing development project in Caledonia.