Simcoe County challenges OPP account

September 3rd, 2009
It appears that the County is not even prepared to accept the OPP’s word on what happened at the blockade Gate 2 on the afternoon of August 20.
The Barrie Examiner reports that Simcoe County communications manager Alan Greenwood continues to maintain that a dozen individuals blockaded the gates that day. He attributes this information to “further interviews with individuals present.” The individuals are unnamed.
It is worthy of note that there has been an adjustment to Mr. Greenwood’s position regarding the alleged group of a dozen blockaders. “Some but not all were wearing bandanas or other facecoverings.”
The Aug. 20 news release from the County refers to an alleged blockading group that was comprised of approximately a dozen individuals wearing black bandanas over their faces who intimidated County staff.
The release remains posted in its original form on the County website.
The situation it describes is a racist fabrication that has the potential for inciting public prejudice and hostility to aboriginal protestors, said Vicki Monague of Beausoleil First Nation.
“Our protest has been peaceful at all times,” she said, renewing her Aug. 31 request to Simcoe County councillors to take charge of the situation and have the press release removed from the County website.

From The Barrie Examiner
…Police sources told the Examiner the day after the release was issued that no persons wearing black bandanas over their faces were observed blocking the entrances…
The morning of Aug. 21, the OPP said that two, possibly three, aboriginal men who had the lower part of their faces covered — but not with black bandanas — were observed the previous day in a farm field opposite the dump entrances.
OPP spokesman Peter Leon, yesterday, reaffirmed that no group of people wearing bandanas blocked the dump entrance on Aug. 20.
“There were two individuals that were wearing balaclavas who were in no way associated with the peaceful protest that was taking place down the way (at the entrances),” he said. “They were not acting inappropriately whatsoever. I believe a milk farmer was arrested. There were no other issues whatsoever.”
…The county’s communications manager, Allan Greenwood, said the blockade was in effect at the time the release was issued.
“It is our understanding from further interviews with individuals present that there were approximately a dozen individuals blockading the front gate, some, but not all, were wearing bandanas or other face coverings,” he said.
“Later in the day and after publication of that release, individuals referred to in the release, voluntarily stopped blockading the premises and it is the county’s understanding that they have not returned.”

Read the full Examiner story County news release racist, native protester says
Read the racist press release Simcoe County newsroom
Read Vicki Monague’s open letter to County Councillors
We welcome comment from any one present at Gate 2 on August 20.

5 Comments »

chris says:
September 3, 2009 at 10:29 am
There is an old song:
“Yes, we have no bandanas,
We have no bandanas, today…”

I always thought that Tony Guergis acted like the ruler of a bandana republic.

mr.wilsonmr. says:
September 3, 2009 at 10:52 am
it seems obvious now, that there needs to be a thorough house cleaning of simcoe county’s administration.
it would appear the culture there is elitist and patronising

the difficulty is, we are one step removed from real participation .
elected officials electing other official is not a true democracy.

Dave (WahWahbiginojii) says:
September 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Aanii, Yes, I was there to witness the events on that day, and NO, there were not a Dozen Individuals, many of whom wore Black Bandanas… seems the County has removed its original press release from its web site and now has a “correction” that continues to be incorrect.
There were two Anishinabeinini who were present, neither of whom wished to be videotaped by the OPP Surveillance Van, so they wore a Bandana to cover their faces. One individual was on a bicycle, and the other was in the farmer’s field across the street from the gate and Michael Schmidt. Neither individual was involved in Mr. Schmidt’s protest, but both were there in a show of support, as were the rest of us (from 15 – 20 other individuals over the course of the afternoon).
For a clear and accurate video of the protestors, please contact the A-Channel, as a reporter videotaped the group of protestors and interviewed Michael Schmidt. THis was aired on the Six O’Clock news that day. After the County issued its press release from the “office of the Warden” the next day, the A-Channel REPEATED their coverage of the story, including showing the video of Michael Schmidt and one member of the CPT again the next day on the news…
I believe I wrote earlier regarding this situation: Michael Schmidt NEGOTIATED with the ART and the Site Supervisor for the halt of all gravel trucks and their entrance on to the site. The Gravel Trucks stopped hauling for the afternoon. Mr. Schmidt DID NOT impede entry to the site as the Site Supervisor entered from what is referred to as “Gate Three” and continued working with his crew for remainder of the afternoon. Mr. Schmidt requested the Coffee truck to go in another way, and they did, again, providing service to the on-site crew via Gate Three.
Approximately one hour later, Mr. Schmidt was wrongfully arrested for “Mischief” by the OPP. Again, he Negotiated the halt of the gravel trucks for the day, and he did NOT impede entry of any employee, Similar to the situation of the Monday Morning Six… They did NOT violate the terms of the injunction..
okay, I hope that helps…
WahWahbiginojii

Ruth Ann says:
September 3, 2009 at 3:37 pm
On the morning of Aug. 20, we were among about 55 people taking part in the peaceful and orderly slowing of County workers about to enter Gate 2 of Site 41. As we slowly walked in a circle on the road in front of Gate 2, we frequently sang Oh Canada (We STAND ON GUARD For Thee.) Each worker was told of our concerns regarding the appearance, since they returned to work at the site, of contaminants in the water pouring from a neighbouring artesian flow. We would then move to the roadside, allowing that worker to proceed onto the site, then repeat the process for the next worker. Again, I was proud to walk with my Native Sisters and Brothers to protect the water and stop the rape of Mother Earth.
At no time were any of our group wearing masks or bandanas to cover our faces. Police were present, and had no problem with our activities.
Later in the day, Michael Schmidt, a dairy farmer from Durham, was arrested for blocking the gate, (He was not wearing a mask either.) According to police, those were all the incidents on Aug. 20/09 that were of interest to them.

Mel says:
September 3, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Shortly after the County put out this phony news release, I phoned “Media Relations” at the County office. I demanded a retraction, referred the lady to the OPP for verification that the event never happened, and I insisted that the retraction be as PUBLIC as the news release had been. I just saw A-News at 6 report, in a nice, lengthy announcement, that the County had finally pulled it. Son-Of-A-Gun….that County lady really did deliver just what I asked for!