Stories by Jon Wells
The
The welcome sign on the edge of town bills
They gathered along the road wielding signs expressing anger at what they say is provincial government inaction, double-standards and "two-tiered justice" in the land claim dispute with natives. The 19-month-old dispute erupted again recently at the Stirling Woods development, where a man was beaten and suffered face and head injuries.
The protesters said their anger is not directed so much at the natives over the land claims as it is at Premier Dalton McGuinty for not "enforcing the rule of law" or simply visiting the town. Indeed, most of the sentiments on signs called for McGuinty's defeat in the upcoming
"Just Say No to
"People just want answers from the government," said Judy Laszlo, who helped organize the protest.
"I don't know if anyone else will do a better job," added Larry Dicy. "But it's worth a shot, if the new (premier) can just uphold the rule of law."
As if to underscore the political undertone of the event, the residents gathered in front of an election sign on the lawn of incumbent Conservative MPP Toby Barrett's campaign office for a group photo.
An endless chorus of car honking in support of the protest -- probably 90 per cent of the steady stream of vehicles coming in and out of town over the course of an hour -- was an unscientific, yet visceral, indication of the passion among locals in the issue.
On the other hand, the turnout of 25 residents, in perfect weather, was modest, and short of what the group had anticipated. One woman who took part said it was "disgusting" that more did not show. "People want to just stay quiet and it will all go away," she said.
Several protesters either tried to keep their faces obstructed behind their signs, or refused to reveal even their first names to a reporter. They say they fear reprisals in their own workplaces for stirring the pot, and retaliation from natives.
Misti Bottenfield was at the protest with her two-week-old baby in a stroller, a police scanner radio perched in the drink holder. Does she fear reprisals from natives?
"No, my aunt lives next door to me and she's native ... And I have two big dogs. So it's fine."