Violence is Easy, Peace requires Effort

In light of the rising tensions in Deseronto and Caledonia the Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality (CANACE) is urging all residents affected by the land claim disputes to resist the urge to take the law into their own hands.

For nearly two years the founders of CANACE and supporters in and outside of Caledonia have used peaceful protest and activism to raise awareness of the dangers of racially-based policing practices of the Ontario Provincial Police. Unfortunately, too many have chosen the path of inaction during the past 18 months, preferring instead to sit on the sidelines making excuses as to why they couldn’t join the struggle and offering little but criticism or indifference to those who stood up for justice in their community.

Despite our consistent message of using non-violent means to oppose OPP practices, some residents have recently begun to advocate the use of violence, of taking the law into their own hands. This growing feeling was acknowledged by Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer today during a television interview. Disappointingly, CANACE’s Executive Director was ejected from an online Caledonia discussion board and banned from further participation after pointedly telling the participants that their encouragement of violent vigilantism was “foolish.”

CANACE volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours to using peaceful means of holding the OPP and McGuinty government accountable for their disgraceful actions in allowing landclaim lawlessness to escalate. We have invested enormous efforts to hold the government accountable for their failures and convince the media that residents are innocent victims. It would be unfortunate if the good will of public opinion was destroyed due to a misguided attempt at retaliation.”

CANACE has aggressively confronted injustice in Caledonia, but there is, however, a tremendous difference between organizing political marches to illustrate a point versus gathering in a leaderless group – whether it is on or off-line – and speaking or acting out of reactionary anger.

CANACE is committed to the use of non-violent protest. It is the only way. We are inspired by one of the greatest civil rights leaders in history who could easily have chosen the path of hate and violence, but is remembered today for shocking the conscience of his country by encouraging Black people to confront injustice with love and non-violence.

To those of you in Caledonia and Deseronto: We understand the anger you are feeling, but we urge you not to give in to the temptation to injure another human being with words or violence. We suggest instead you make a positive contribution to your community by joining CANACE as a Member Advocate. Your voice will help us fight the injustice of race-based policing in a manner for which we will all one day be proud.

Please join us on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 7 PM at the Lion's Hall in Cayuga for a very important information meeting.

To become a CANACE member Advocate for free, please visit http://www.canace.ca./

Please…forward this message to everyone on your email list.

- Additional information -

www.CANACE.ca

info@caledoniawakeupcall.com