Link to Original Story

Residents march in Caledonia

McHale alleges rocks and sticks being thrown by natives

Elisabeth Johns
The Hamilton Spectator

(Aug 23, 2008)

A group of Caledonia residents hoisted flags and anti-police signs in a protest yesterday claiming the Ontario Provincial Police aren't protecting them against native demonstrators.

About 35 people, led by outspoken Caledonia critic Gary McHale, gathered outside the Cayuga OPP detachment waving Mohawk and Canadian flags turned upside down.

The residents claim the police have done little in the past two years to enforce order in the town that's been the centre of an aboriginal land claim dispute.

"What we want from these people whose wages we pay is protection," said Merlyn Kinrade, a Caledonia resident, to a round of applause by some of the frustrated residents.

They said rocks and sticks are being thrown off overpasses at vehicles travelling along the Highway 6 bypass.

McHale alleges the projectiles are being thrown by aboriginal people, something the OPP could not confirm.

The Haldimand County OPP were contacted Monday by a local citizen about children throwing stones from the Sixth Line overpass.

Since the children were under the age of 12 and not covered by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, they were warned about their actions, police said.

The OPP is working with the Ministry of Transportation and Haldimand County to come up with solutions to the problem, said Constable Paula Wright.

They are considering crime prevention ideas such as adding more light fixtures on and around the overpasses or installing a fence type screen to stop rocks and stones from being tossed onto the cars, she said.

McHale tried to meet with acting Inspector Michael Rigby at the detachment, but was told to make an appointment.

He said he intends to continue protesting until they are listened to.