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James Gabriel and
four of his fellow councilors from the Mohawk Council of Kanehsatake,
the Solicitor General's Office, and the Minister of Public Security
Jacques Changnon are forcing upon the residents and community of
Kanehsatake a un-ratified policing agreement.
The community of
Kanehsatake has steadfastly opposed this forced and illegal
agreement, which endangers the lives of community members. On January
12 2004 James Gabriel with the assistance of the Solicitor General of
Canada, Wayne Easter, attempted an invasion and coup of Kanehsatake.
It was made clear that the community of Kanehsatake wanted to be a
full partner in the maintenance and operation of its police force,
this right was denied and is continuing to be denied by the
aforementioned parties.
At this moment the
Canadian Federal and Quebec Provincial governments as well as James
Gabriel are threatening to enter and take over the community of
Kanehsatake with their newly created police force. This Police force
does not have the support of the community and the community is
completely opposed to its involvement in their affairs. In the past
two members of this force had been involved in acts of brutality,
which left one man in a wheel chair and the remainder of the
community in fear (see Justice for Joe David by the Collective
Opposed to Police Brutality).
Kanehsatake are
feeling tense and the situation is volatile. Despite repeated efforts
on the part of community members, the Kanehsatake Police Commission,
and the Kahnawake Peace Keepers to de-escalate the situation the
Canadian and Quebec governments and their provocateur James Gabriel
are continuing to push the community into a corner. The situation is
extremely volatile and dangerous. The Kahnawake Peace Keepers are on
the verge of leaving Kanehsatake and the community will be vulnerable
to the oppressive style of policing that Gabriel is infamous for in
this community.
The voices of
Kanehsatake Community members must be heard and heeded in order to
peacefully resolve this crisis.
Concerned
Kanehsatake Community Members |
