[R-G] Akwesasne Is On High Alert As The Bridges Are Closed And Canadians Borders Services Abandoned

[Anthony Fenton]

http://letstalknativepride.blogspot.com/2009/06/akwesasne-is-on-high-alert-as-bridges.html

Monday, June 1, 2009
Akwesasne Is On High Alert As The Bridges Are Closed And Canadians  
Borders Services Abandoned
Midnight, June 1, 2009: As the deadline for new compliance standards  
imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Border  
Patrol and the Canadian Border Services was reached, an all out  
military style blockade has been established on the U.S. and Canadian  
sides of the international bridges that use Akwesasne's Cornwall  
Island to connect them. June 1st was the date for the new Western  
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) to come into effect. The standards  
called for stiffer identification requirements including U.S. or  
Canadian passports or new enhanced ID cards with scannable and  
trackable RFID chips embedded in them. Canadian Border Services (CBS)  
also planned to used the deadline as the start of an upgraded arming  
and militarization of the customs and border facility located within  
the the territory of the Kanienkehaka, on Cornwall Island which is now  
eerily abandoned. These moves have been opposed by the Kanienkehaka  
with particular concern over weapons being brought into their  
community. Several demonstrations have occurred over the last several  
weeks specifically addressing the overwhelming opposition of the  
Kanienkehaka to the idea of a foreign armed force being based within  
their community.
No dialogue or communications of any kind has been offered up to  
explain the blockade. DHS, as recently as last week expressed in a  
conference call for all Native communities on the U.S.-Canadian border  
that a "relaxing of the requirements" would be in affect for an  
"undetermined transitional period". When asked specifically about the  
Massena crossing, they offered no insight to a closing or blockade.
The Kanienkehaka are presently asking everyone to use every means  
available to keep communications flowing and prepare to support this  
community as this apparent military action continues. Travel  
preparations from as many Native territories as possible on both sides  
of the "Imaginary Line" should be started as well as any actions that  
can be undertaken to show solidarity.
At the time of this posting there was still no press presence or any  
international observation. The hope is that efforts to bring as much  
attention to these actions as possible can reach the highest  
international levels. Contact with the people of Akwesasne is  
critically important at this point and the flow of information is one  
of the best weapons against any abuses that occur. All media contacts  
and organizations should be brought on line to monitor the situation.
Any developments will be posted as information is received.