Kingston Mohawk Support Network Press Release
Action: Noon, Thursday, May 24, 2007. John Gerretsen, MPP’s office, La Salle Mews, Princess St., Kingston
No Bloodshed at Tyendinaga.
Take our blood instead.
The Ontario government is trying to solve a standoff on Mohawk land with the OPP tactical unit instead of following its own laws. When peaceful resolution is so easy, when Mohawk demands are so reasonable and yet they are ignored for so long, there is only one conclusion. The province of Ontario wants blood.
The Kingston Mohawk Support Network will try to satisfy Ontario’s bloodlust and encourage peaceful resolution by collecting drops of blood from passers-by and presenting it peacefully to John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and the Islands.
“Nobody benefits if someone gets hurt at Tyendinaga. We can’t tell if Ontario would rather see dead police officers or dead Mohawks, but neither is necessary. If they want blood on their hands, they can have ours instead and resolve the blockade peacefully,” says Matt Silburn, organizer with the KMSN. “This is an easy problem to solve. Ontario needs to follow its own laws and act honourably and justly by revoking the permit to the gravel quarry.”
The OPP tactical unit has been in a hotel in Napanee for two months. They were deployed at Tyendinaga during the rail blockade of April 20, 2007.
The Mohawks have said from the start of the quarry blockade that they would go home if the quarry permit was revoked. Despite violations of the Mining Act by the aggregate company, which dumped toxic waste into the quarry and which is leaching into the groundwater, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources refuses to act.
“Any bodies that fall will be laid at the feet of the Ontario government. This is an entirely avoidable conflict,” said Silburn.
KMSN Media Spokesperson: Jeff Welsh, cell 613-888-6416 (Jeff will be available on-site at the event.)
