Six Nations protesters stop work in Brantford 'Today our patience has run out'

The Canadian Press

Brantford (Jul 8, 2008)
Hamilton Spectator

Several hundred aboriginal protesters stopped work at construction sites around Brantford yesterday, marching onto job sites and ordering workers to shut down equipment.

"Our people have been patient and today our patience has run out," said Butch Thomas, a Seneca sub-chief. "Any new development in this area or on our land has got to stop. Today is the first day of taking back our territory."

The rolling protest was largely peaceful, with protesters calling out "Have a good day off!" to departing workers. But there was underlying anger, as well.

It's the first time the Confederacy chiefs -- men such as Allen MacNaughton, Ron Thomas and Butch Thomas -- had come out publicly in support of the land protesters.

One woman suggested the men had been urged to make a stand by the Six Nations clan mothers.

The chiefs were joined by several clan mothers, Mohawk Nation members and one elected band councillor. At times, there may have been more than 200 involved.

"This is to show the support of the chiefs," said MacNaughton.

"The city has accelerated things to hurry and cover up our land. They've interfered with our people's rights to free speech and tried to silence our voices."

At the first two sites visited, Brantford police Inspector Scott Easto was clear in telling the aboriginals they were breaking not only the city bylaw against protests at those sites but a court injunction against the action.

"You're breaking the law," Easto said several times. "You're breaking the injunction."