Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 23 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
General News    H4'ed 7/1/09

Help the Mohawks of Akwasasne Protect Themselves

By       (Page 1 of 3 pages)   17 comments
Message Jennifer Hathaway
Become a Fan
  (1 fan)

(Image by Unknown Owner)   Details   DMCA


Today I received an email regarding a peace caravan to the Mohawks of Akwasasne. There will be speakers and socials on Cornwall Island today.

 

This is a peace protest to bring attention to the fact that the Canadian border patrol has begun carrying weapons inside the reservation- sovereign turf- and that following a series of violent attacks against indigenous people who live on the reservation [including women and children and even a baby in a stroller at one event], predator drones out of Fort Drum NY are being flown over the reservation. Yes, the same military weapons we are using to blow up tribal people in Afghanistan are now flying over sovereign native territory, treating Mohawks as "insurgents" because they refused to allow guns on their land.

 

In the beginning of May, Canada's border guards were authorized to carry 9 mm Berrettas. Some of these guards have been consistently assaulting, intimidating, and harassing Native people who are crossing from one side of their reservation to the other.  The Mohawks have been resisting the effort to have these guards armed, and have had little or no press on their behalf.

 

The email directed me to a blog on the subject, where I've been learning what I can on the situation.

 

On May 2, Kahentenitha wrote:

 

"We know we have to stop at the border. Kimberly Jacobs of Cornwall Island said, "Some of the border guards are respectful, while others are intimidating." Her friend, who crosses at least once a day, has been pulled over six times in the last month for random inspection. A woman was strip searched by border officers without a good reason.  Without guns they can already isolate us, lock us up, hold us for hours for no reason and almost kill us. They accuse us of just about everything including "suspecting" us of having drugs, guns, and whatever. It's scary when they take us to the back of the shed. With guns, these power-hungry anti-Mohawk lunatics will have unquestioned power to intimidate, strip search, and falsely charge us.  After investigations, most of the bogus CBSA complaints against us are dropped."

 

May 20th:

"At Akwesasne there are escalating brutal attacks by the CBSA Canada Border Services Agents. These maniacs constantly racially profile and provoke us. We have to cross many times a day to carry on our normal lives. On June 1, 2009, these goons will try to carry 9mm Berretta guns. They could instigate violence and death. This border crossing must be removed. We object to putting deadly guns in the hands of these openly racist border guards.

 

June 1st:

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Jennifer Hathaway Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Mother of two adult children, freelance artist with fine works in private collections in 20 US states, 7 European countries, Africa, China, and Japan, concerned citizen of the US. Overreaching corporate controls of food, housing, clothing, (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Mumbai Twitter Conspiracy Blues

This Election Will Not Be Stolen

The Pyramid and the Net

A Disaster on US Soil: Please Help the Cheyenne River Sioux

Help the Mohawks of Akwasasne Protect Themselves

Mark Twain's War Prayer

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend