Union activists support First Nations National Day of Action – June 29th

 

CUPE PRESS RELEASE

 

Union activists support First Nations National Day of Action – June 29th

Ottawa — The National Executive Board (NEB) of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is meeting in Ottawa this week, and passed a resolution calling on CUPE members and all Canadians to support the Assembly of First Nations National Day of Action, planned for June 29, 2007.

Speaking on behalf of the NEB, National President Paul Moist reinforced CUPE’s nation wide support for this planned day of action in response to the crisis First Nations communities face throughout the country.

“I am proud to be the leader of Canada’s largest union and even more proud that our leadership voted unanimously to support our brothers and sisters in First Nations communities across this country in a day dedicated to promoting issues that First Nations people face.”

“CUPE’s national executive and our members in every part of Canada share the concerns expressed by First Nations Peoples and we will take our place in support of you.

Moist reinforced the importance of CUPE’s mandate to ensure that all communities have publicly funded and operated services.

“Ensuring public services are available to make communities vibrant fits right in with CUPE’s strong communities mandate,” said Moist.

“It is CUPE’s role to advocate on behalf of all communities for the very basic rights of public water, public education and child care, public health and health and safety standards and more,” added Leo Cheverie, diversity vice-president.

“On June 29th, says Moist, “we’ll support the day of action and every other day of the year we will continue to advocate on behalf of all communities who need basic public services.”

CUPE members are asked to support and attend any events and activities <http://www.afn.ca/nda/es.htm> in their area, sign the online petition at the AFN website <http://www.afn.ca/MPH/mph.htm>, wear a wristband to show support for Make Poverty History campaign, call or write MPs, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister.

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Press Release: KMSN wants gravel pit’s operations stopped, land claim settled

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.)