#UPDATE: As Police Invade Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Blockades, Marches, and Occupations Break Out En Masse Across so-called Canada
[Feb 25] As the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) raided the Tyendinaga rail blockade yesterday morning, Land Defenders across Turtle Island took to the streets and the rails to continue standing in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en and Mohawk Nations.
The raid on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory rail blockade took place early yesterday morning, after a midnight ultimatum to vacate the premises was given by the OPP the night before. Ten people have been arrested with multiple charges,* with the snowplow used in the action being hauled by police. Despite the brutal raid on the Tyendinaga blockade, the community remains resolute in the support of the Wet'suwet'en, gathering throughout the day and night to resist against the police presence.
Meanwhile, dozens of actions have broken out throughout so-called Canada, with blockades and other actions springing up in different territories throughout the day and night. SOME of the highlights include several blockades being raised throughout the day in the Mohawk communities of Kahnawake and Kanesatake in so-called Quebec; rail blockades in Hamilton; road blockades in Six Nations of the Grand River Territory; an international bridge crossing into the United States in Sault Ste Marie; Gitxsan rail blockade in northern so-called British Columbia; and indigenous youth occupying the front steps of Parliament to name a few. In Ottawa, indigenous youth occupied the main artery leading to the Canadian Parliament, while police snipers watched by in nearby buildings.
Wet'suwet'en Land Defenders have called for ongoing solidarity in demanding the complete demilitarization of their territory and an end to the Coastal GasLink Pipeline. Mobilizations across the territory are ongoing and developing at this hour.
Here is a list of ACTIONS which took place yesterday and/or are ONGOING needing support this hour:
RAIL BLOCKADES:
- GITXSAN TERRITORY (NEW HAZELTON): Gitxsan Land Defenders have raised a rail blockade on the afternoon of Feb 24th near the town of New Hazelton in northern so-called British Columbia. Police have arrested two Gitxzan elders overnight and Land Defenders are calling for reinforcements and support at this hour.
- HAMILTON: Land Defenders and allies have raised a rail blockade on York Boulevard in Hamilton in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en as of 5PM Feb 24th and are calling for reinforcements and support at this hour.
- TYENDINAGA: Police have raided the territory and have removed one of two rail blockades. However, Mohawk Land Defenders are calling for ongoing front line support in the territory. To DONATE to the mobilizations, email tyendinagadonations@gmail.com
- KAHNAWAKE: Mohawk Land Defenders continue to block the CP Candiac commuter rail line, where service has been suspended since Feb 8th in Montreal.
-*SASKATOON: Indigenous youth, women, disabled LGBTQ2S inner-city community members have blocked CN Rail lines in Saskatoon's Pleasant Hill neighborhood. The Land Defenders have been severely harassed by white supremacist groups, and are calling for reinforcements at this hour.
- *SALMON ARM (aka New Brunswick): After having been served an injunction in blockading CN Rails near Caledonia, New Brunswick yesterday, Mi'kmaq Land Defenders have taken the blockade to nearby Salmon Arm. Land Defenders are calling for more firewood on-site at this hour.
- LISTUGUJ: Mik'maq Land Defenders have blocked all rail traffic across Listuguj Mikmaq territory near so-called Gaspé Quebec since February 11th, which is ongoing at this hour. More information on support pending***
- KAMLOOPS: Secwepemc Land Defenders are calling for front line SUPPORT in blockading CP Rail tracks across from Neskonlith Hall in support of the Wet'suwet'en and is ongoing at this hour.
OCCUPATIONS
- KAHNAWAKE: Mohawk Land Defenders briefly blocked the Mercier Bridge in the morning and afternoon hours in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en. Mohawk Warriors barricaded the same location during similar indigenous uprisings, such as the Oka Crisis of 1990, and is a symbol of indigenous struggle in so-called Canada.
(Note: The Mercier Bridge action was a slow-moving motorcade.)
- KANESATAKE: Mohawk Land Defenders have blocked Highway 344 in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en. Mohawk Warriors barricaded the same location during similar indigenous uprisings, such as the Oka Crisis of 1990, and is a symbol of indigenous struggle in so-called Canada.
- SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER TERRITORY: Six Nations Land Defenders blockaded Highway bypass between Argyle and Greens Road near the town of Caledonia. Six Nations Land Defenders blockaded the same uring similar indigenous uprisings, such as the reclamation of Kanonhstaton in 2006 and is a symbol of indigenous struggle in so-called Canada.
- SAULT STE MARIE: Land Defenders blocked an international bridge leading to the United States this afternoon in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en. The blockade went on for several hours blocking traffic in both directions.
- VANCOUVER: Indigenous Land Defenders and allies have defied a court injunction by blockading the intersection of Clark Drive and East Hastings Street, renewing a blockade to one of the Port of Vancouver’s main entrances. The blockade is ongoing at this hour and in need of reinforcements and support this hour.
- VICTORIA: Indigenous Land Defenders have defied a court injunction and have occupied the front steps of the British Columbia legislature, where indigenous youth have chained themselves to the doors to prohibit entry to the building. Police are on location and Land Defenders are calling for reinforcements and support at this hour.
PROTESTS:
OTTAWA: Indigenous Land Defenders blocked the street artery in front of the Canadian Parliament entrance, stopping traffic at the intersection of Wellington and Metcalfe streets from 9AM throughout the day. The occupation ended in a march to Ottawa City Hall at 8PM last evening.
MONTREAL: Land Defenders and allies organized a flash mob outside of Prime Minister Trudeau's constituency office on the afternoon of Feb 24th in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en and Mohawk Nations.
ALL EYES ON WET'SUWET'EN!
OIL and GAS OUT OF WET'SUWET'EN LAND!
AMULEPE TAIÑ WEICHAN!
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