Border bridge closed by Akwesasne protest

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Akwesasne residents march Saturday near Cornwall, Ontario, to protest the arming of Canada Customs agents at the Canada/US border crossing situated on their territory. The protest closed the border and international bridge Monday. (CP Photo/Robert Skinner) Robert Skinner

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June 1, 2009

By DENISE RAYMO The Press Republican Mon Jun 01, 2009, 09:20 PM EDT

AKWESASNE — The Massena-Cornwall International Bridge was closed Monday after 400 St. Regis Mohawks camped out, protesting Canada’s arming of its border agents.

Canadian Border Service Agency officials decided near midnight to close the Cornwall Island station, which is situated on Indian land in Canada.

Only emergency vehicles were allowed to cross the bridge Monday.

OFFICERS LEFT

The eight to 10 officers working inside walked south from their customs house to the American customs station and were returned to Canada without incident.

“It was the agency that made the decision that it was more prudent, from a health and safety point of view, to close the office and continue negotiations,” said Ron Moran, the national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, told the Cornwall Standard Freeholder.

The U.S. Customs and Border Service also closed its station, and all travelers were being rerouted to either ports of entry in Fort Covington or Ogdensburg, Troop B State Police Capt. Mike Girard said.

“Everything’s quiet,” he said Monday afternoon. “I sent one patrol over the bridge to the end of the U.S. side.”

Using binoculars, he said he could see only about 10 cars and no people visible.

“It was Canada’s decision that the bridge be closed, and the Canadian authorities asked the U.S. side to do the same,” Girard said.

“(State Police) will maintain a presence there until they tell us otherwise.”

TRAVEL INHIBITED

Troopers sending vehicles to the alternate crossings are fielding complaints, especially from the Mohawks living on the American side, who use the bridge frequently.

“It’s the people of Akwesasne who this is really hurting because they go back and forth to see their family,” Girard said. “The people are upset, but they understand that it’s not our doing. It’s Canada’s.”

PEACE CRUCIAL

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council offered its support for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, saying that keeping the peace is the most important issue.

“Four peacekeepers have been appointed to monitor the situation and keep people calm,” Chief James Ransom said. “They are all well-respected community members who are level-headed and capable.

“Establishing a meaningful dialogue between the Akwesasne community and the Canadian government is going to be a key part of resolving the current situation,” he said in a news release.

TREATMENT

Plans to issue a sidearm to agents starting June 1 only heightened an already tense situation, where past allegations of racial profiling and intimidation of some Mohawk people surfaced.

“We have had a variety of problems between some border guards and community members when they are crossing the border,” Chief Monica Jacobs said.

“Complaints have been filed about how community members have been treated, and these issues need to be looked at so we can move forward.”

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Tim Thompson said his government considered declaring a state of emergency during the protest and continues to call for negotiations with Canadian representatives.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at:

draymo@pressrepublican.com