Dancer’s Courage!

UPDATES:

UPDATE: Dancer gave a great speech to the crowd at our ‘Remember Us’ March on October 08/07 that broke more than a few hearts. See Katie Dawson’s article for The Sachem, “Remember Us’ march leads to one arrest. Don’t miss the video of Dancer’s speech [dial-up].

UPDATE: Dancer – along with her parents – accompanied us to Queen’s Park for our April 17/07 FantinoGate news conference to share her story with Ontario. Click on the link for her speech and video. She did a great job!
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j0405192.jpgMany of you were moved by “The Strength of a Woman’ – 14 year old ‘Dancer,’ the story of a brave young lady who created a heart-wrenching pamphlet called ‘Road of Hope’ to explain why she has to take medication and go to counselling due to the OPP’s refusal to police the road on which she lives – Sixth Line in Caledonia.

Dancer’s family was determined to honour their daughter’s wishes that her story be told, so they met with us, and gave us permission to videotape Dancer reading ‘Road of Hope.’ Afterwards, we interviewed her in order to clarify some points in her pamphlet. It was a thrill and an honour to meet this amazing young woman and her family, but it was hard listening to her talk about how the OPP have abandoned her and every other kid on the Sixth Line.

dancer_mar11-07-006.jpgLike many of the women involved in the struggle against Two Tier Justice, Dancer inspired us with her determination to help her community – a town where people who live in ‘policed’ areas are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation. On March 11, 2007 this one brave girl did nothing less than face the fears of an entire neighbourhood and town and – in so doing – invalidate every conceivable excuse her fellow citizens might have for not getting involved in defending their town against evil.

She deserves better than this from the people who are supposed to be her voice

It is very disappointing when a girl has the guts to do what councillors refuse to do – join with us to stand up and speak out. On Feb 09/07 – before he was threatened by OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino – Councillor held a town meeting where Haldimand Council acknowledged the lack of policing on Sixth Line and their frustration in dealing with the OPP but – pathetically – told the crowd there wasn’t much they could do about it.

They only thing they absolutely knew for sure is they darn well didn’t want any help from outsiders like Gary McHale and Mark Vandermaas. It surely had to be the most egregiously pathetic display of impotence and parochialism ever in the face of a crisis that has left children afraid in their homes. Listen to the audio and/or read the transcripts for yourself:

To all of Caledonia’s politicians and citizens – if a 14 year old girl living in an area of town where people are afraid to call 911 for fear of retaliation has the courage to stand up proudly as a Canadian citizen, and take her place at the front of the line to defend truth and justice and her fellow citizens, what – exactly – would YOUR excuse be for not following her?

We have all been shamed by a 14 year old girl. Let us now be inspired by her words and her courage to take back our province…

‘VIDEO: Road of Hope’
March 11/07
(7:09 mins)
 DIAL-UP

PDF: Road of Hope

NOTE: a copy of Dancer’s video was included in every media kit handed out during our news conference at Queen’s Park on March 14, 2007 regarding ‘The Ipperwash Papers.’ Extra copies of our media kit were provided for: John Tory; Dalton McGuinty; Howard Hampton; Toby Barrett and Mayor Marie Trainer. Click here to read Gary McHale’s closing remarks that included mention of Dancer and the lack of policing on Sixth Line.

2 responses to “Dancer’s Courage!”

  1. Ty Ritchie | March 22, 2007 at 8:20 am |

    I was heart-broken, and felt physically ill while reading what Dancer had to go through, with firecrackers being thrown at her and whatnot. And the fact she is now on meds.

    This poor girl even accepted the fact that if a Native broke into her home, she would have to lay back and accept it because the police would never come, or if they did, they wouldn’t lay charges.

    We have to put a stop to this Two-Tier justice. It’s not right.

    What would the OPP do if a Native broke into THEIR home?

    VoC REPLY: Thanks so much for the support for Dancer, Ty. I have taken a very personal interest in getting police service restored to these people so she can feel safe again, so I appreciate your thoughts for her. Two Tier Justice WILL be destroyed; I just don’t know when. I don’t care if it takes a lifetime, but it will end.

    It sickens me when I hear (and not for the first time!) that OPP will charge victims of native home invasions. Julian Fantino knows these people have no police protection, but he gets to go home to his safe bed in his safe house in his safe neighbourhood in his safe town. How he can go to sleep, then wake up and look himself in the mirror knowing that children are afraid because he won’t do his job is beyond me.

    What’s worse – what could be worse, you ask? – is that the Canadian Civil Liberties Association doesn’t care about Dancer or any other resident in Caledonia either. I have phoned, emailed and faxed them, begging for help for Caledonia and for Dancer, but they won’t even return my messages. Shame on you! Mark

  2. Ty Ritchie | March 26, 2007 at 12:35 pm |

    I have contacts in the Media, many of which have covered Caledonia, and would be willing to hear anything you have about the Ipperwash Papers, and Dancer’s plea.

    I’m also trying–with limited resources as I’ve yet to contact Mr. McHale–to help the residents in Caledonia.