Movie - MARCH FOR FREEDOM: The Struggle to Restore
Equal Justice in Ontario, Canada
Video - Justice in Ontario - OPP Style (4.19 mins)
[dial-up]
Video - Caledonia January 20th 2007 (1.14 mins)
At the present time I am working - on a volunteer basis - to support a most courageous man named Gary McHale (left) in his struggle against Two Tier Justice on behalf of the residents of Caledonia, Ontario, Canada who - until Mr. McHale came along - had no consistent voice to speak out against those who have terrorized their town and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) who have allowed it to continue.
[Photo, above, right: Mark on A-Channel News, Jan 19/07. HIGH SPEED DIAL-UP]
The most explosive of the events depicted in the awful photos are not occuring today, but the intimidation continues unabated. Recent events have shown just how deep-rooted the OPP appeasement-mentality is when dealing with lawlessness that no other police force would tolerate.
Residents in both Ipperwash and Caledonia are very much afraid to speak out for fear they will become targets for violence and intimidation. Still, they help us and some have stepped bravely into the light to fight openly beside us.
[If you click on the photo of the man throwing the pallet off the bridge onto the roadway below you will see what appears to be an OPP car on the far side of the bridge. I don't think you need to click on the photo of the main road through Caledonia being dug up to see all the police cruisers. Hmmm. Wonder where all the OPP officers are? Tim Hortons? Maybe someone should tell them what's going on.]
Understanding Two Tier Justice
If you are not sure what this struggle is all about may I suggest that you scroll down to the ‘Categories’ list on the right side and select, ‘1. VoC’s MOST IMPORTANT POST.’ Read the the posts carefully, especially, “OPP & OPPA vs. Supreme Court of Canada and the Charter of Rights & Freedoms.” This post contains damning evidence that proves that the OPP are enforcing the law based on race, that they know it’s wrong and that they will do anything not to be held accountable.
Why we fight against Two Tier Justice
On January 14, 2007 I gave a speech to Caledonia residents at the Lions Hall in which I explained why I go - and will continue to go - to Caledonia. I call it the “It WAS worth it, Jack” speech. Here is an excerpt:
“In summary, I say to [Ontario Provincial Police]Commissioner Fantino and Mayor Trainer and every other politician in this province that I will NOT give up my rights simply because you refuse to defend them, or because you are unable or unwilling to protect me from those who would harm me as I exercise them. This I say as a citizen of Ontario and of Canada.
I made a promise to Jack the day I met him that I would pay any price - any price - asked of me to restore the rule of law and equality before that law to Ontario. I promised Jack that I will do what I can to destroy Two Tier Justice, and that losing that fight is not an option I am prepared to accept.
This I say to Jack and to you all as a former soldier and peacekeeper who believes that there are causes worth fighting for no matter what the cost may be.”
Why am I prepared to be arrested?
I am proud to say that I was one of the three Canadians to be arrested for attempting to erect a Canadian flag on a utility pole across from the occupied Douglas Creek Estates as a way to expose the absurdity of the Two Tier Justice that Caledonians and Ipperwash residents are forced to endure. Just days later, on December 21, 06 the Toronto Star ran its historic editorial saying, in part…
”There cannot be different classes of law for different classes of people. That undermines the very equality we strive for and cherish in Canada. The rule of law is paramount in Canada’s society and must be upheld.”
I have been asked by the media why I was - and am - prepared to go to jail for this cause. What price would YOU put on the Rule of Law, and the right to be treated equally before that law? [dialup click here] My freedom is such an insignificant price to pay if I can hasten the day when the Rule of Law is no longer a topic for debate.
Do we believe in using or provoking violence?
We are - indeed - aggressive and determined in our efforts, but we believe that our struggle must remain non-violent. It is the only way, and it has already served us well.
For those who wonder if the mere act of confronting injustice via peaceful protest is inappropriate for fear of a violent reaction from native occupiers, history has already answered this question for you much better than I could. Please see, ‘Lessons not learned from Martin Luther King Jr.‘
Is the struggle against Two Tier Justice about racism towards native people?
It is a source of bewilderment to me how one can be accused of being racist for speaking out to defend the rule of law; equality before the law; the Charter of Rights and the decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada. Unfortunately, false accusations of racism happen regularly to people who speak out against the use of violence, crime and intimidation during land claims. It just goes with the territory.
The reason the race card is played is because those who support the use of violence have no credible counter-argument to make against us. Fortunately, the media and politicians have grown tired of smarmy allegations of racism, and are now writing and saying the very same things we have been speaking and protesting about during the past 18 months. Be sure to see the VoC feature, ‘THE BARRETT PROCLAMATION.’
I suggest you read VoiceofCanada and decide for yourself if I am a racist. May I suggest you begin with the following posts:
- Residential Schools apology - the right thing to do
- “She:kon Mark” - Karone:rorakwe shares thoughts from DCE with VoC
- Victimizing Native People
- Mediation & negotiation with natives? Yes. With sociopaths? No.
- Does past oppression justify present violence? VoC gets ’real’
- ‘Ipperwash Papers’ provoke racist threats
- VoC letter to McMaster University President
- Let us now join together to destroy Two Tier Justice
- VoC letter to Chief of London Police Service
- Caledonia criminals sink to a new low - if that’s possible
- Fighting back against the OPP & OPPA
Let me close this section with a quote from the summary to my Jan 10/07 presentation of Canada at the Crossroads: The Ipperwash Legacy:
“I believe, however, that it is a critical mistake of both our government, the Inquiry and the OPP to assume that violent criminal factions speak for native people, and to ‘negotiate’ with them as if they do. It is an insult to every honourable, law-abiding, peace-loving native person in Canada.
OPP Two Tier Justice policies are based on the false premise that native people have no self-control, that they are incapable of obeying the law,t hat they and their children are willing to live in a lawless world ruled by criminals who take what they want, when they want. For more than 15 years the OPP has been sacrificing the well-being of law-abiding people - both native and non-native - for the benefit of sociopaths and demagogues.
What does it say to honourable aboriginal parents who try to raise their children to have respect for the rights and property of other citizens when the government and the OPP so eagerly reward thugs in native communities for their violence and criminality? How many native youth have been turned away from productive lives by well-meaning, but destructive racial policing policies?”
History rejects the ‘I was just following orders’ excuse
If you are a police officer enforcing Two Tier Justice in Caledonia, or anywhere else in Ontario, I have a special message just for you. It will help you make a decision that will determine how your actions will one day be judged.
Thank you for visiting!
Thank you for taking some of your valuable time to understand what is at stake in this most important struggle!
Mark Vandermaas, Editor
VoiceofCanada.ca
SENDING COMMENTS: I welcome your comments via the forms provided at the bottom of each post. Note that your email address is not published with your comment. All comments are moderated, and I reserve the right not to publish your comment at my sole discretion. I do try to provide a personal response to every comment, but time restrictions may prevent me from doing so. It doesn’t happen often, but please accept my apologies if it happens to you.
My decision to publish your comment is based on whether or not I think it assists in our struggle against Two Tier Justice and/or helps readers understand a particular point of view or set of facts. I welcome input from those who disagree with me - even vehemently - but I will not publish comments containing racist comments, silly insults, or unsubstantiated statements. I rarely publish ‘revisionist’ comments from those who try to deny the truth despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, ie. using the words ‘peaceful occupation’ in connection with Caledonia.
If you wish to send a comment on a story, please use the form provided at the bottom of the story.
If you wish to send a private message, contact me at info@voiceofcanada.ca .
