OPP helps CANACE & Deseronto residents expose Race-Based Policing

Deseronto resident Cindy Welsh tries unsuccessfully to convince Shawn Brant supporters to give Gary McHale a chance to speak.

UPDATE: VoC, July 03/09: Caught on tape: McGuinty cabinet minister insults Deseronto resident

UPDATE JULY 03/09: Napanee Beaver, July 02/09: Raucus meeting defuses with talk  VoC download

UPDATE 2134 EST July 01/09: See, ‘Video of CANACE in Deseronto‘ by Jeff Parkinson for complete coverage in 7 clips. Note: the event was actually held in a Picton park because the town of Deseronto refused to rent resident Cindy Welsh a room where we could speak and the Elks reneged on their rental deal with her.

UPDATE: New story about our visit to Deseronton. See CANACE visits Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, by Jeff Parkinson.

UPDATE: Video added of Mohawks & supporters clapping when Gary McHale talks about attempted murder of police officer in Caledonia. More video clips to follow.
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CANACE was invited to speak by Deseronto resident  Cindy Welsh who rented the Elks Hall in Picton for Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 because the Town of Deseronto refused – again – to allow non-natives access to their hall to discuss their rights during a land claim dispute.

Unfortunately, the OPP had earlier convinced the Elks manager to cancel the room rental which forced us to try to speak outside in a remote park with no police presence whatsoever while a large group of Shawn Brant supporters shouted us down and screamed hateful insults.

It seemed as though some – especially one woman in particular wearing a red shirt (photo, below) – were deliberately trying to provoke some kind of fight. Jeff Parkinson filmed the entire event, and clips will be posted when available.

Monsters in Deseronto-Picton?

At one point some of the group actually applauded when Gary McHale tried to talk about how a police officer was nearly murdered in Caledonia!

• CANACE video, Picton, ON, June 25/09: Mohawks & supporters clap for attempted murder of police officer in Caledonia 00:24
• CWUC blog, Jeff Parkinson, July 01/09: Video of CANACE in Deseronto (complete coverage of the event in 7 clips)

One resident later said, “Believe it or not, this is a GOOD day!”

CANACE meets with the nice officers of the OPP MELT

We met with 2 MELT (Major Events Liaison Team) members at Cindy’s home prior to the event. We tried to let them know that no one had anything to fear from us. Gary even explained how he was opposed by the Crown when he tried to lay charges for assaults against police officers in Caledonia. 

I almost gagged when one officer expressed her concern about why we were coming “at a time when the community is healing.” I explained what Dr. King said about the difference between an “obnoxious peace” and the presence of  justice.

Despite this, I told them that just meeting with us was an improvement over how we were treated (until very recently) by Haldimand OPP. One officer said that they had tried to undo the damage done by the OPP by attempting to convince the Elks to honour their agreement with Cindy Welsh. I actually began to believe that the OPP were going to do the right thing now that they had a chance to see that we didn’t have horns, tails or cloven hoofs.  Alas, my optimism was badly misplaced. 

OPP sets up CANACE and residents for a confrontation

When we arrived at the Elks Hall in Picton (right) there was a group of natives (most are not visible in photo) there including some involved in the illegal blockades (as we would later discover). Not only was the hall not going to honour its agreement with Cindy, the police told us to move down the road, around the corner, down a hill to a park.

The OPP deliberately sent us into a remote place without police protection even though they helped cancel the hall because they were so worried about a confrontation occurring inside there. As far as I’m concerned the OPP deliberately set us up for a confrontation so they could come down and blame us if it happened. It was a disgusting betrayal of everything I thought the police were supposed to be about.

“We were set up by the OPP … for a brawl here,” Welsh said. “There’s something going on here — more than what we’re seeing, because that’s how the OPP work.”

Belleville Intelligencer, June 26/09: Police deny having agenda at Picton meeting  REPRINT

For the record: CANACE has held numerous meetings during the past 3 years and no violence has ever occurred at any of them.

Deseronto refused to rent hall to Cindy Walsh's community info meeting to which she had invited CANACE to speak.

• Napanee Beaver, June 25/09: Town denies hall rental
• Napanee Beaver, June 25/09: Cooler heads must prevail
• VoC, Feb 22/08: Feeding the crocodiles in Deseronto
• VoiceofCanada, May 30/07: Democracy takes another hit in Deseronto from unlikely source
• VoiceofCanada, May 15/07: Democracy takes a hit in Deseronto

Can you imagine…

Can you imagine what would be said if a town refused to rent a room to native people to educate the public about their grievances or their rights?

Can you imagine what would happen if the OPP actively worked to convince the Elks to cancel a room rented by law-abiding natives because white supremacists might come to cause trouble, then directed the peaceful natives to a remote park where they knew the racists were waiting, and then provided no police presence?

It would be outrageous, just as it was when it was done to us, especially since a number of the natives present had participated in Shawn Brant’s blockades!!! So, the OPP knew they could be sending us into a dangerous situation.

After reading the silly denials from OPP contained in the article above, an obvious question is raised: if the police were so concerned about the meeting that they interfered with Cindy Welsh’s room rental and had officers on standby because of the dangers, why wouldn’t they want officers close enough to hear and/or video tape what was going on?

This isn’t the first time

It wouldn’t have been the first time that police brass have allowed dangerous confrontations to occur and then falsely blamed the non-natives. In my mind it had the exact same feel of the Dec 01/07 smokeshack protest in Caledonia where the OPP provided insufficient resources that resulted in us (and officers) being assaulted, and then being falsely blamed by Fantino for the violence.  It was the first time in Caledonia that no OPP officer was videotaping a protest. An ERT member later testified that the OPP violated their SOPs for the protest and that he was “alarmed” at the lack of police resources.

EXPOSED: How the McGuinty gov’t refused to investigate criminal allegations against Fantino  (see Part 1 of the actual complaint doc)

VoC, April 26/09: McHale hearing: ERT officer “alarmed” at lack of OPP resources for Dec 01/07 protest

If the OPP and politicians were so worried about what might happen why weren’t the police videotaping in Picton instead of staying so obviously out of sight?

Confrontation is defused – but NOT by the OPP or politicians

Fortunately, there were 2 reporters present, including one from the Belleville Intelligencer. Their presence, coupled with our quiet determination not to react to their insults and provocations, probably kept things from getting out of hand.

• Belleville Intelligencer, June 26/09: Shouting yields to common ground REPRINT

Most of the native people present, while not especially kindly disposed towards us, were certainly not out for trouble although most did shout down Gary to make it impossible for him to speak.

Once Cindy Welsh called off the meeting we stayed and talked to those who were willing. By that time it was clear even to the most obnoxious of the group that we were not going to react to any slurs or provocations –  and we were not about to run away.

One of the most notable moments (aside from the monsters clapping because a police officer was nearly killed) was when a woman in a red shirt (right), clearly out of control in a blind rage, ran up to Gary and screamed disgusting insults at him – all the while Gary calmly looked at her in silence without the slightest reaction.

Let’s not forget that even when Gary was bleeding and bruised after being assaulted by numerous native smokeshack supporters on Dec 01/07 he never once retaliated with fists or angry words. Even when he was set up by a native woman who started the worst of the violence by falsely accusing him of assaulting her, he did not retaliate. You can see the videos here:

• CANACE incident summary: CANACE calls for RCMP to take over investigation after Fantino blames victims of Caledonia violence

It is important for non-natives to realize that native extremists and their supporters deliberately try to provoke confrontations with their insults and movements in order to get a reaction that can be used against the victim of the insults. As shown in the material cited above regarding the Dec 01/07 attack on non-natives, if violence does break out, the non-natives will be blamed even if they did absolutely nothing to provoke it or defend against it.

Indeed, the violence in Caledonia on Dec 01/07 was initated when a native woman falsely accused Gary McHale of assaulting her after assaulting HIM! (see video at link above) She was charged with Public Mischief for filing a false police report, but Fantino and the OPP never issued an apology to us for falsely accusing us.

In fact, the OPP had already ordered Gary charged with Assault without even hearing his side, and the only reason he wasn’t was because Jeff Parkinson, CANACE’s videographer, caught the whole sickening  street theatre on film and messed up their plans.

Julian Fantino actually wrote a character reference for the man who led the swarming assault that sent Gary McHale to the hospital, and effectively blamed McHale for the attack while praising the native man for whom he had already intervened to stop an Assault Police charge from being laid against him. Truth really is stranger than fiction!

• VoC, Jan 03/09: McHale, Caledonia fight Fantino attempt to rewrite history
• Hamilton Spectator, April 22/09: Fantino wrote reference for accused McHale attacker  REPRINT
• VoC, May 02/09: McHale hearing: OPP officer confirms existence of racial policing! (see  Tuesday, April 28/09, Fantino testimony)

Deseronto residents are not ‘healing’

One resident was present who used to live across from the quarry stolen by Shawn Brants marauders who threatened to kill his baby, rape his wife and burn down his house. The threats drove him and his family out of the house.

• Belleville Intelligencer, June 03/09: Former Deseronto resident fed up with native blockades

But, according to the OPP, people are ‘healing’ now they’ve arrested Shawn Brant. Sure, and I bet Dancer’s healing too as she and her family live without OPP policing in Caledonia.

• VoC feature: Dancer’s Courage

Thank you!

CANACE members/founders have lunch with Cindy Welsh.

Thanks to Cindy Welsh for inviting us and taking the time to understand who we are and what we really believe. You were wonderful. You have a big heart and everyone, including your native neighbours, could see it.

Thanks also for treating us to lunch! 

Thanks to Andy and Vicky and Kathy for sharing their thoughts and stories. Our hearts go out to you and all the other innocent victims in Deseronto and Picton.

Thanks to all those who travelled with us: Jeff Parkinson, Merlyn Kinrade (who cancelled out on an important function to be with us); Jim Anderson (who rearranged his day on short notice); Christine McHale and of course, Gary McHale who once again proved how extraordinarily qualified he is to be leading the fight against racial policing.

Gary’s leadership means that CANACE can stand quietly while we are smeared and provoked all the while capturing events on film to be used as evidence in the courts of justice and public opinion.

Thanks finally to Luke Hendry for your balanced stories and attempts to hold the OPP accountable.

Native extremists and OPP made it so easy for us – again.

I tried talking to some of those present who shouted Gary down and clapped at the idea of a police officer being murdered, but their arrogant smugness accompanying their pathetic ignorance of the truth made it virtually impossible. Nothing I said was good enough for them – they had made up their minds and they weren’t going to let the facts get in the way. Several of them later tried to intimidate us by standing beside us as we sat at Tim Hortons, but when we openly talked about posting the video of the “monsters” clapping they seemed to realize just how badly they had shot themselves in the foot, and left.

The OPP tell us there’s no such thing as racial policing, and the politicians tell us we are ‘unhelpful’ by protesting against it! Our trip to Deseronto-Picton proved –  once again – that racial policing is very much alive, and that it is just as disgusting there as it is in Caledonia-Haldimand. What happened is an insult to the Charter of Rights, the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Police Services Act. Shame on you, OPP! But, still, we have to thank you for your ham-fisted assistance in making it so darn easy for us to expose what is really going on in your twisted organization.

To the innocent victims of native extremism and racial policing in Deseronto and Picton

It was an honour to be invited to speak in your communities. I think there was a general agreement among us that Thursday was one of the most important days in CANACE’s history. Contrary to what you might think, Thursday evening was a very, very good day in that by working together we stripped away all the BS to expose the ugliness of racial policing. This was accomplished because Cindy Welsh was willing to take a stand to defend her rights against those who do not want her to exercise them, thereby creating tension within the community. In doing so she forced the OPP and others to openly violate her rights and, in the process, gather evidence to be used against them. This makes some people very uncomfortable, but it is a necessary step in achieving true justice for all people in Ontario.

Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured. 

Martin Luther King Jr., April 16/63: Letter from Birmingham Jail

We will be pleased to return and try again if you can find a location for us to meet. Please continue to pressure your politicians and police to stop interfering with your Charter rights. The one thing the politicians and police are deathly afraid of is that communities like Caledonia, Deseronto and Brantford will begin to unite against them.

Let’s stay in touch: please, sign up for VoC news alerts by clicking on SUBSCRIBE in the top menu.

Deseronto Facebook group

One Deseronto resident has started a Facebook group called, ‘Keep Shawn Brant behind bars’ that has over 500 members. I’ve never used Facebook, and when I tried to sign up to check the group out I was told my email address was invalid. Those of you who are signed up should check it out. I’ll try again later.

For more info on the dangers posed by Shawn Brant:

VoC, June 06/07: Canada at the crossroads: Rule of law or anarchy?

CaledoniaWakeUpCall movie, June 06/07: Canada at the Crossroads – about the chilling terrorist threats from Mohawk Warrior leader, Shawn Brant.  NOTE: 1.5 hours of raw footage used to produce this film have been supplied to CSIS by CWUC.   DIAL-UP

CaledoniaWakeUpCall feature: Shawn Brant & the direct terrorist threat to Canada 

McHale letter to federal Minister of Public Safety, June 08/07: Shawn Brant violates Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act  

To the people of Tyendinaga

We are pleased that some of you took time to speak with us to hear what we had to say. I was hoping to tell you personally on Thursday that I do not believe that respecting the rights of non-natives diminishes you or your rights in any way, but I was not allowed the opportunity to do that by some of those who believe it is acceptable to be cruel to innocent people. I have always said that I do NOT believe they speak for all native people.

If I/we didn’t get a chance to speak together and you would like to know the truth about us and our beliefs, please visit these two pages on our CANACE website:

• CANACE reference feature: Race-Based Policing
• CANACE – About Us: We believe…

To the politicians in Deseronto-Picton who worked against Cindy Welsh’s goal of sharing information with her community

Cindy played a message on her machine by her MPP for us. Unfortunately, for Ms. Dombrowsky (Prince Edward-Hastings) she forgot to hang up the phone, and so Cindy’s machine continued recording as Dombrowsky made derogatory remarks about the motivations of those involved. I’ll bet $20 that she has never even looked at the CANACE website let alone taken the time to understand who we are and why we fight against racial policing.

As far as I’m concerned Dombrowsky, and the local pols who have worked to undermine Cindy Welsh’s right to speak are worse than those who screamed insults at us and the police who worked so hard to subvert our Charter rights – you’re being paid to protect our rights from abuses, not to help undermine them based on second-hand gossip and irrational statements. 

May I suggest that every politician and cop in the Deseronto-Picton area take a deep breath, exhale and then take a few minutes to check the pages mentioned above on the CANACE website before you embarass yourselves further. 

While you’re at it, check out something called the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; you may find it of some interest.

And this is for the MELT officer who thinks the victims in Deseronto are ‘healing’ because Shawn Brant and his gang were only allowed to victimize them for 5 days – this time:

I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension in the South is a necessary phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace, in which the Negro passively accepted his unjust plight, to a substantive and positive peace, in which all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality.

Martin Luther King Jr., April 16/63: Letter from Birmingham Jail

Mark Vandermaas, Editor
VoiceofCanada
info@voiceofcanada.ca
Co-founder, Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality
www.canace.ca

References:

• CWUC blog, June 28/09: CANACE visits Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
• CANACE video, Picton, ON, June 25/09: Mohawks & supporters clap for attempted murder of police officer in Caledonia 00:24
• VoC Category: Native Protests – Deseronto
• CANACE reference feature: Race-Based Policing
• VoC, June 06/07: Canada at the crossroads: Rule of law or anarchy?
• CaledoniaWakeUpCall movie, June 06/07: Canada at the Crossroads – about the chilling terrorist threats from Mohawk Warrior leader, Shawn Brant.  NOTE: 1.5 hours of raw footage used to produce this film have been supplied to CSIS by CWUC.   DIAL-UP
• CaledoniaWakeUpCall feature: Shawn Brant & the direct terrorist threat to Canada 
• McHale letter to federal Minister of Public Safety, June 08/07: Shawn Brant violates Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act