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June 26, 2009

Courts may get involved in bridge debate

By DENISE A. RAYMO

AKWESASNE — Akwesasne leaders want the courts to decide if two Canadian officials illegally closed the Seaway International Bridge.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the governmental body on the Canadian side of the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation at Akwesasne, announced Friday it is pursuing action against Minister of Public Safety Peter VanLoan and Stephen Rigby, president of the Canada Border Services Agency.

The tribe wants Canadian court authorities to review VanLoan and Rigby's actions and determine the legality of closing the Cornwall customs house following protests from the Mohawks over the planned arming of agents there.

"The decision was obviously taken in haste and is illegal and severely detrimental to the interests of the Mohawks of Akwesasne and surrounding communities that rely on the bridge," the council stated in a news release.

The closure, which stretched into its 25th day Friday, "is also contrary to the mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency to facilitate the free flow of persons and goods through the port of entry."

Mohawks state that the lives of residents have been disrupted and "put at risk" because of these actions.

No traffic has been allowed to cross the international span since June 1 except for emergency vehicles.

Residents of Cornwall Island can travel to the city of Cornwall and back, but if they come to New York, they must stay. Businesses are losing money, people are using boats to cross the St. Lawrence River to get to work, and families are paying more for available goods.

Council members said some residents feel the closure "is a punitive and discriminatory" response to protests held at the customs house prior to the June 1 deadline.

The council wants a court decision, an order to reopen the bridge and to postpone arming agents until talks are held between themselves and Canada.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com

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