Protesters try to derail and set fire to train rolling through Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Early Wednesday, protestors set fire to a freight train passing through Indigenous territory.
Ontario Provincial Police say the protestors lit tires on fire after a train moved through Tyendinaga Mohawk territory this morning, forcing a second train to come to a stop.
Some more footage of the tire fire on the tracks. This happened at about 10am this morning. pic.twitter.com/cszMvn9U2W
— Real Peoples Media (@realpeoplesmedi) February 26, 2020
After the first train safely passed through, protestors lit a pallet and tossed it under a second train.
Tyendinaga protesters set fire next to tracks as freight train rolls past, eventually stops @Canada #Canada https://t.co/1WAHxDLxoN pic.twitter.com/X3ToSXvay6
— Canada Reddit (@Canada_Reddit) February 26, 2020
The train passed through the smoke while Ontario police officers monitored the situation from a raised platform.
Un deuxième train passé sur les rails de #Tyendinaga. Les manifestants ont répondu encore une fois par le feu, comme vous pouvez le voir sur ces images.#onrc pic.twitter.com/bzv2CByGp4
— Rozenn NICOLLE (@RozNicolle) February 26, 2020
Tyendinaga Mohawk officials told CN Rail that they would not allow any trains to pass until RCMP officially vacated Wet'suwet'en land in British Columbia.
Despite the RCMP promising to do so, B.C. police are still presently occupying the site.
CN Rail has decided to send its trains through Tyendinaga, despite having been told no trains shall pass until the RCMP gets out of Wet'suwet'en lands. The RCMP still hasn't left.
— Real Peoples Media (@realpeoplesmedi) February 26, 2020
Train 376 is now leaving Belleville and Train 148, an intermodal container train is to follow.
With Justin Trudeau officially giving the go-ahead for police to tear down the rail blockades, Ontario Police stormed Tyendinaga Mohawk territory on Monday.
Officers tore down the blockade and arrested ten protestors.
#OPP maintained open, respectful and honest dialogue with all parties in #Tyendinaga Twp. All demonstrators were given the option of leaving the site or being arrested. 10 people were arrested and face multiple charges. All have been released on conditions. @OPP_News ^bd
— OPP East Region (@OPP_ER) February 24, 2020
On Sunday, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh anticipated the guerilla arson, warning Canadians that taking police action against protestors would only escalate the situation.
Singh said, "Reports that police are moving in on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory are incredibly troubling. Police action is not the way to de-escalate this."
"Justin Trudeau's reckless comments and refusal to meet are making this situation worse."
Reports that police are moving in on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory are incredibly troubling. Police action is not the way to de-escalate this.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) February 24, 2020
Justin Trudeau's reckless comments and refusal to meet are making this situation worse.
With counter-protests now gaining momentum across Canada, tension over the railway blockades is escalating at a concerning speed.
#Tyendinaga FN try to cause a DERAILMENT that could injure people and cause an environmental disaster. Ahh the #hypocrisy🧐 #FirstNations #WetsuwetenStrong #Wetsuwetan pic.twitter.com/6UmsCjqXv4
— Darren F. Wilson (@DWilson2121) February 26, 2020
On today's incident, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said, "I think that's terribly unsafe and inappropriate, but again the police of jurisdiction are managing that and that's their responsibility."
"We would encourage everyone to obey the law and be safe."
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