June 12, 2009

OPP Assault on Mohawks this Morning: Mohawk Women re-take Skyway Bridge

A brutal police takedown of Mohawks from Tyendinaga on the Skyway Bridge by the OPP Public Order Unit took place at 6:30 am this morning.

Following the arrests of Mohawks by the OPP, who cleared the Skyway Bridge of Tyendinaga Mohawks standing in support of the community of Akwesasne, women from the Tyendinaga community have re-taken the bridge

Currently, the women are holding the bridge, while it appears the OPP is contemplating whether or not to launch a second assault. There are police helicopters flying overheard, as well as OPP boats in the bay next to the bridge, and police cars on the roads surrounding the bridge.

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At least 12 held after police end bridge blockade
June 12, 2009
THE CANADIAN PRESS

DESERONTO, Ont. – More than one dozen people are in custody after police ended an aboriginal blockade near Deseronto, in eastern Ontario.

Mohawk protesters had been blocking the Skyway Bridge, which connects Tyendinaga territory and Prince Edward County, since Sunday.

The protest was in support of an Akwesasne Mohawk demonstration against the arming of border guards that has closed a border crossing in Cornwall.

OPP Sgt. Kristine Rae says officers from the provincial and Tyendinaga Mohawk forces approached the bridge near Deseronto around 6:30 a.m. today.

Some protesters left, but 13 others were arrested for mischief.

The bridge is being checked to ensure it is safe before it is reopened, which was expected to happen later today.

A Tyendinaga police officer suffered a hand injury during the arrests and two protesters were taken to hospital.

One was treated for a minor injury and is in police custody, while the other is in hospital complaining of a shoulder and back injury.