OPP moves to clear rail blockade on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has moved to clear a rail blockade on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Several people at the blockade near Belleville, Ont were arrested Monday morning.

Two industrial-sized tow trucks were brought in to hauled away a snow plow and OPP are dismantling the weeks-old blockade.

The barricade has halted freight and passenger rail traffic in parts of eastern Canada for nearly three weeks. CN Rail crews have been inspecting and working on the train tracks.

It was set up after RCMP in northern British Columbia moved to clear protestors who were blocking access to a Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline on Wet’Suwet’en territory.

Protestors in Ontario are standing in solidarity with the Wet’Suwet’en First Nation who oppose the construction of the $6-billion pipeline.

OPP reportedly gave the protestors until midnight Sunday to clear the blockade or potentially face criminal charges by the police.

“We have remained respectful of the ongoing dialogue, including issues of sovereignty between our Indigenous communities and various federal ministers, and have hoped for productive communication leading to a peaceful resolution,” said OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson in a news release.

Police say the extended protests have increased risks to public safety closer to the protest sites.

Dickson added that efforts to successfully negotiate a peaceful resolution have been exhausted and a valid court injunction remains in effect.

“The OPP has a legal responsibility to enforce the injunction and began doing so this morning. The OPP has called upon all those involved to abide by the injunction and leave the area and to not put public peace or anyone’s safety in jeopardy,” he said. “All people are being encouraged to leave the demonstration site peacefully. Enforcement of the injunction may include arrest of those who choose not to comply, however, use of force remains a last resort.”