Eighteen-year-old with pellet gun sparks disturbance at barricades

Hamilton Spectator
(May 19, 2006)

[SISIS note: The following mainstream news article is provided for reference only, as an example of how mainstream media treats indigenous resistance to genocide. Mainstream media often presents biased and distorted information, lacking pertinent facts and/or context. Inclusion of this article on our site should not be considered an endorsement by SISIS.]

An 18-year-old Ingersoll man with a pellet gun and camouflage gear in his car was handed over to police after creating a disturbance behind the native barricades in Caledonia last night.

It happened as protest leaders gathered to talk about opening Argyle Street to traffic for the long weekend.

Witnesses said the man was let through at the north blockade, but then sped up the hill toward the south barrier. They said he spun his Honda Civic twice, narrowly missing people walking on the road and sitting at the barricade.

The man was apprehended by security volunteers who contacted nearby Ontario Provincial Police officers. The man was taken into custody. There was no word on charges last night.

Native Brian Skye said the man initially said it was an inconvenience to go around the barricade, but then claimed to have been lost. There was a flak jacket, camouflage helmet and pellet gun in the back of the car.

Witnesses said the man claimed to be in the army reserves.

"At first he treated it like a joke. He was smirking," said Skye. "Then some of the women told him how serious an offence it was and he took it more seriously."

The man apologized as he was led away.

Skye said he will push to open the blockades for the weekend but many other protesters are concerned about security in the wake of this incident.

A large group were gathered behind the barricade last night, apparently discussing the issue.