National Day of Action – June 29, 2007
Date: Friday, June 29th.
Location: On and near the railroad tracks at the VIA rail station on Counter Street, Kingston, ON.
The Kingston Mohawk Support Network (KMSN) plans to hold demonstrations on and near railroad tracks in Kingston.
We will be calling upon our government to respect its historical agreements with First Nations, and to begin to conduct itself peaceably, justly and honourably in its dealings with all First Nations and peoples.
We have chosen the train tracks as the location for this event to demonstrate our solidarity with the numerous road and railway blockades that are being planned by First Nations communities across Canada as part of this National Day of Action.
A big part of celebrating the National Day of Action will be educating the non-native public as they cross the tracks, but equally important is showing the government and First Nations that First Nations are not alone in their fight for justice and the land they were promised.
We encourage the participation of as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible. Some people may choose set up lawn chairs and “relax on the tracks,” while others may choose to stand by the side of the road and pass out pamphlets and refreshments to motorists (where roads cross the tracks), and still others may play music, chat with passers-by, or play Frisbee on the grass.
We hope to foster a positive and celebratory tone to the protest, with music, street theatre, dancing, and free food.
We invite natives and non-natives alike to join us on June 29th, as we call for an end to Canadian colonialism and apartheid, and for the recognition of First Nations’ sovereignty.
For more information, please contact: mohawksupport@riseup.net
June 26, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Don’t you think that this is nothing but a hassel for tourists? I am from Sweden, am in the country for 9 days. Not only is this going to interrupt my trip, but it will only leave the native population a bad reputation…if you do protest, can you do it after the Kingston station? If i get held up, I would like to sit with the family I am supposed to meet….thanks, good luck
June 29, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Thank you for bringing participating in the “National Day of Action”, and thus bringing the current issues facing Indigenous peoples’ into the forefront. As we prepare to celebrate our nations birthday it’s important to recognize the reality associated with “Our home and Native Land”.
I wish you luck in your negotiations and support your direct action. The road blockade had been inconvenient for me. However, I am not bothered, but thankful for the growing awareness.
Keep fighting peacefully! As a child of immigrants I pray my children will not witness this injustice. Instead, have plentiful opportunities to learn from indigenous traditions and integrate a deep spiritual respect for nature into their lives, as your people have done for generations.