Turmoil returns to Caledonia

Native arrests in Brantford spawn Caledonia road closures

By Bill Jackson – The Regional

September 3, 2008

More than 200 Caledonia residents united on Monday, many of them stopping traffic on Argyle Street South for several hours after Six Nations protesters blocked the road with a hydro tower and initiated closure of the Highway 6 bypass.

The initial road blockades, which were allegedly in response to native arrests in Brantford earlier in the day, set off a chain reaction of events beginning shortly after 9 a.m. on Labour Day.

After the hydro tower was removed by native protesters, police announced that Argyle Street had reopened at approximately 1:30 p.m. However local residents who were angry at the Ontario Provincial Police for allowing disruptions to continue and not intervening earlier in the day remained on the road, defying police orders to disperse.

"I don't think we should be held hostage anymore," said William Romberg, who served as a voice of the people throughout the protest.

According to local resident Dana Chatwell, whose house abuts the Douglas Creek native occupation off Argyle Street South, natives initially blocked the road using only a highway guardrail.

There were only a few protesters on the road at that time, she reported. One was allegedly carrying a 2x4 and another was wearing a ski mask.

Chatwell contends that protesters wouldn't allow her to return home with her son and said police just watched.

"(The protesters) called me every name in the book," she said, adding that police stationed at the side of the road in cruisers did nothing to help her.

From that point forward the situation grained steam as more protesters began showing up at the Douglas Creek occupation site.

After debris was thrown off an overpass and fires were ignited on the Highway 6 bypass, police reopened the thruway at approximately 3:30 p.m. By that time Caledonia residents were the only people impeding traffic flow in town, on Argyle Street.

Local Coun. Craig Grice, who stood along with residents, felt that police should have put a stop to problems before they became inflamed. The issues that arose only proved that the Douglas Creek site is "a loaded gun waiting to go off," he said.

However Grice said he also believes that two wrongs don't make a right.

"the only ones we're hurting now is ourselves," he said. "We're better than this."

Acting OPP Detachment Commander Mike Rigby spoke to residents shortly before 5 p.m. and asked people to clear the road because of public safety issues, saying that he understood people's concerns and appreciated their frustration.

"Your concerns are being conveyed to those involved with negotiations," he said.

Residents balked and laughed at Rigby who returned to a police van at the Canadian Tire parking lot where he was stationed for most of the afternoon.

Rigby did hold a private meeting with two local residents who were able to voice their concerns but shirked reporters who attempted to ask questions, slamming the door on one.

At approximately 5:15 p.m. OPP Staff Sergeant Phil Carter told people they had five minutes to clear the road or be arrested. More police emerged and approximately 50 officers appeared ready to pounce.

"You can stay here on the side of the road but you will not block the highway," Carter said.

Many residents asked Carter where he was when natives blocked the road earlier in the day.

"The law is only good for us," said one man.

Local resident Judy Laszlo said that she wants to see policing reinstituted on the Sixth Line and wants to see "policing back" period. She remained steadfast despite the police warning.

Others wondered why the town of Caledonia was being by arrests in another location, namely Brantford. One woman called such counter actions a form of terrorism.

OPP officer Dan Michaud told residents that arrests aren't as simple as they think and promised that persons responsible for blocking Argyle Street earlier in the day would be arrested.

Romberg, who was negotiation with officers shortly before 6 p.m. wanted assurances that police would react quicker the next time natives block a roadway and Michaud said he couldn't promise anything, but would convey concerns to provincial negotiators.

At the request of Romberg, police presence dispersed first before local residents followed suit. Traffic was back to normal at suppertime.

In a press release, OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino expressed satisfaction that these incidents were resolved peacefully.

"The OPP is committed to open communication and dialogue and to resolving disputes in a safe and peaceful manner," he said.

"I can not street enough our priority is to preserve the peace and maintain order, not to resolve land claims issues. We will be continuing our investigation into the incidents that occurred today and holding those accountable who have broken the law and jeopardized safety."

One male was arrested during Monday's protest on Argyle Street after he ripped a native flag off a vehicle that was attempting to make its way through residents who gathered there.