Mohawk protest leads to border closure
Amanda Roth
Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: News
Protestors are prepared to continue their camp out at the intersection of Island Road and International Road until the federal government agrees to negotiate the terms of the CBSA arming.
A police blockage of the Seaway International Bridge remained for 15 hours until June 1 where, after negotitations between Mohawk leaders, Akwesasne police and Cornwall police the bridge was reopened.
The length of the border closing remains a topic of much concern in the area. Emergency vehicles have been allowed on and off the island.
The blockade forced many U.S. citizens, as well as Cornwall Island residents to find a place to stay in Cornwall, as police were not permitting vehicles to cross the bridge.
The federal public safety minister, Peter Van Loan, announced that the border crossing will not reopen until the Mohawk community accepts the arming of border guards with handguns.
"As a result of a risk to the health and safety of the travelling public and the CBSA employees, the CBSA closed the Cornwall (Ontario) Port of Entry Office located on Cornwall Island as of 11:45 p.m. on May 31," the CBSA announced in a media advisory.
"Travellers are urged to use either the Prescott, ON/Ogdensburg, NY port of entry or the Dundee, Quebec/Fort Covington, NY port of entry to enter Canada from the United States."
A police blockage of the Seaway International Bridge remained for 15 hours until June 1 where, after negotitations between Mohawk leaders, Akwesasne police and Cornwall police the bridge was reopened.
The length of the border closing remains a topic of much concern in the area. Emergency vehicles have been allowed on and off the island.
The blockade forced many U.S. citizens, as well as Cornwall Island residents to find a place to stay in Cornwall, as police were not permitting vehicles to cross the bridge.
The federal public safety minister, Peter Van Loan, announced that the border crossing will not reopen until the Mohawk community accepts the arming of border guards with handguns.
"As a result of a risk to the health and safety of the travelling public and the CBSA employees, the CBSA closed the Cornwall (Ontario) Port of Entry Office located on Cornwall Island as of 11:45 p.m. on May 31," the CBSA announced in a media advisory.
"Travellers are urged to use either the Prescott, ON/Ogdensburg, NY port of entry or the Dundee, Quebec/Fort Covington, NY port of entry to enter Canada from the United States."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Frank Ricketts
posted 6/09/09 @ 2:51 PM EST
Let's close the border permanently. We should not be held hostage to outdated grievances. i am in Massena and was to cross back into Canada on my way to Ottawa tomorrow - June 10. (Continued…)
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