Lynn Rees Lambert
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Kingston This Week
Local News - If you’re planning to take the train out of town this holiday weekend, take the bus.
That’s the word from protester Paul Quick who, with other members of the Kingston Mohawk Support Network, plans on demonstrating at the Kingston VIA Rail station in a show of support for the First Nations Day of Action on Friday.
And while some protesters plan on a “celebratory tone” for a protest with music and food, others are thinking more along the lines of civil disobedience.
“I would suggest people take the bus,” said Quick at a press conference held at the Kingston VIA station Tuesday about the protest to coincide with First Nations demonstrations across Canada.
The protestors are calling on the government to honour treaties and improve living conditions on reserves.
People could be standing on the tracks, said Quick, which could throw off schedules.
But CN officials plan on keeping the trains running and will take steps to do so, according to one official.
“It’s all speculative right now,” said Mark Hallman, director of communications for the Canadian National Railway Co., adding that the company has always enjoyed a good relationship with First Nations people.
Still, should someone venture to set up a lawn chair on the tracks, for example, “CN will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our operations and property and maintain service for our customers.”
Hallman would not comment on whether extra security would be brought in for the protest.
VIA Station manager Derek Bongard said he is aware that protesters will be on site Friday and said “as long as there’s a peaceful protest” there shouldn’t be any problems.
For those who venture onto the tracks, however, Bongard called that a dangerous move.
“We don’t know when the freights are rolling through,” he said.
Public announcements are made when passenger trains are about to arrive.
Other protesters are calling for a protest with a “celebratory tone” with music and dancing in a show of support for the plight of First Nations people.
“This is a call-out on a national scale by First Nations peoples,” said Jeff Welsh, another member of the Kingston Mohawk Support Network. Friday’s demonstration is meant to be “a show of solidarity,” he said, that will be “positive in tone.”
While most of the Kingston network is made up of non-natives, Welsh said the group is “coming together in a single voice” to raise awareness of the unsettled land rights and governance issues among First Nations people.
Rosa Barker, an organizer with the network, said the protest is an effort to “show the government and First Nations that First Nations are not alone in their fight for justice and the land they were promised.”
Welsh said there will be music, free food and drinks and games for children.
The protest will have a “festive spirit,” said Welsh, with the goal of sending a message to all levels of government to address the issues.
“We’re inviting everyone, from all backgrounds, to show support,” he said.
Welsh said a number of network members will be at Confederation Park Friday afternoon, handing out leaflets. At 5:30 p.m., a chartered bus will bring protesters to the VIA station.
While not a blockade, the group admitted there may be some protesters willing to stand on the tracks.
“There might be a danger bringing trains through” to the Kingston station, said Quick.
Kingston Police media spokesman Mike Menor said he hopes the protest will be a peaceful one.
Police officers are usually assigned to cover protests, he said, and there will be a police presence at this one.
While standing or sitting on railway tracks is trespassing, Menor noted it is “life-threateningly dangerous.”