BARRIE, ON, June 5 /CNW/ - Karl Walsh, president of the 8,100-member Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA), today called on all native leaders and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, to take responsibility for the actions of Aboriginal people at protest sites and instruct them on what constitutes a peaceful demonstration.
"As the National Chief, he should publicly denounce any future activities by protestors who threaten to breach the peace or are counter-productive to a peaceful demonstration, including intimidation of private citizens, destruction of public or private property or attacks on members of the public or police officers," President Walsh said.
The OPPA President says the matter needs to be raised because it was conspicuously absent in Commissioner Sidney Linden's report on the Ipperwash Inquiry released May 31. In it, the Commissioner outlined suggestions for police and governments in handling protests. In fact, in his opening remarks, he commended the Ontario Provincial Police for its work in making changes and called them 'best practices'. However, he failed to address what should be the conduct of protestors during such demonstrations.
"The members of the OPPA are professionals who are committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens, and to keeping the peace at these demonstrations", President Walsh said. "We're doing our part; we urge First Nations leaders and protestors to do their part to keep the peace."
During the ongoing Caledonia dispute, several OPP officers have been injured and numerous criminal charges have been laid. President Walsh said the OPPA does not object to peaceful protests by any group and never has. However, the Association does object to violence and criminal acts that put citizens and police officers at risk.
President Walsh's comments pertain to ongoing and any future demonstrations and do not refer to the events 12 years ago at Ipperwash. The OPPA is currently reviewing the recommendations and will not comment until such time as that has been done.