[R-G] Police call off blockade of Mohawks at Cornwall

[Anthony Fenton]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/06/02/akwesasne-bridge.html

Police call off blockade of Mohawks at Cornwall
Canadian border post deemed 'too risky' to reopen
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | 12:19 PM ET

Akwesasne Mohawks are once again being allowed to cross the Seaway  
International Bridge from Cornwall onto their territory, but the  
Canadian border post remains closed.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) shut down its post on the  
Mohawk territory that straddles Quebec, Ontario and the U.S. early  
Monday morning after Mohawk leaders warned they would not tolerate  
guns in their community.

The border guards were scheduled to start carrying 9-mm handguns  
Monday morning under a new federal policy.

Vehicle access to Akwesasne from Cornwall was blocked for 15 hours  
Monday after police set up a road block at the entrance to the Seaway  
bridge.

However, after a series of negotiations between Mohawk leaders,  
Akwesasne police and Cornwall police, residents are again allowed to  
use the bridge.

"The opening of the north span is very reassuring for those residents,  
[because] now they can travel to and from the city of Cornwall, which  
makes it easier for them to go get groceries and items that they  
need," said Brendan White of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

The Canadian border-crossing post in Akwesasne is still closed.

Ron Moran, the national president of the Customs and Immigration  
Union, said Tuesday it's too risky to allow officers to return.

Moran said border agents were intimidated by some people in Akwesasne  
who were wearing scarves on their faces.

He said he has no idea when the border will reopen.

"I don't think there's any reason to start risking that level of  
potential injury or loss of life. So, as it stands, it's going to  
remain closed and that's to the detriment primarily of the people on  
the Akwesasne reserve.

The Mohawks say armed border guards threaten their sovereignty and  
pose a threat to the community.

But the CBSA points out U.S. guards working on the territory have  
carried guns for decades without any problems.