(A group of about 50 people from Gesgapegiag have been completely blocking Route 132, just north of New Brunswick, since about 10 p.m. local time Tuesday.)
By Tim Fontaine
APTN National News
HALIFAX–Blockades are underway on two Mi’kmaq communities in the Gaspe region of Quebec.
People from the Listuguj First Nation have been blocking the railway at Pointe-a-la-Croix since December 28. The protesters say they’re allowing passenger trains to go through but are stopping freight traffic, which they say carries resources taken from their traditional territory.
They say they’ll continue the blockade until Prime Minister Stephen Harper agrees to the treaty meeting requested Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who’s been on a hunger strike for three weeks.
In the nearby community of Gesgapegiag, a group of about 50 people have been completely blocking Route 132, just north of New Brunswick, since about 10 p.m. local time Tuesday.
Kateri Martin is taking part in the blockade and says most of the people there are youth.
They’re also hoping the blockade will add pressure to calls for Harper and Gov. Gen. David Johnston to meet with First Nation leaders and discuss the treaties.
Martin says they informed Gesgapegiag leadership that they would be blocking the highway but were told chief and council would not be supporting them. Without the support of chief and council, Martin says she’s worried police will move in and make arrests.
In Gesgapegiag, vehicle traffic is being diverted because of the blockade. Police are monitoring both situations but there are no reports of arrests.
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@anishinaboy
@michel t….just shows how ignorant u r……this is about saven the land for all ppl all over the world. ..its not about money…
must be nice to special… anybody else would be trown in jail… while ‘they’ will most likely be given more $$
Prayers and love to my Mi’kmaq brothers and sisters from a sister Mi’kmaq in Portland Maine
Fight for the Seventh Generation. They fight for profits. We will win!
This is how rumours start!! Gesgapegiag is supporting all movements as a community. There are no arrest being made. A peaceful blockade is being supported. We’la’lin.
Police don’t want to get involved by forcefully removing ppl, don’t give up, you have the whole world on your side
it is too bad that the chief and council are not supporting the bockade
They are all for it, I don’t know how it got to this point?? APTN should interview our official leaders before posting such stories.
the stupid thing is its a stones throw away for a meeting
the rest of Canada better wake up to this
Canada is shutting down,thanks Harper.