"the People's Paths!" NAIIP News Path! - CPT Christians Call for End To Racist Policing

Christians Call for End
To Racist Policing in Canada

by Doug Pritchard, CPT, Chicago IL
Wednesday, October 13, 1999

Kitchener ON - On October 12, 1999 Christian Peacemaker Teams led 25 persons in a 2-hour occupation of the Kitchener ON detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) calling for an end to racist policing, particularly in the current lobster-fishing dispute in New Brunswick. The event also marked the 507th anniversary of Columbus' arrival on First Nations' land.
On October 3, non-natives destroyed thousands of lobster traps belonging to aboriginal fishers from Mi'kmaq First Nations in the province of New Brunswick. Seven RCMP patrol boats were among the 150 boats engaged in the destruction but did nothing to stop the well-orchestrated hooliganism. Commenting on this inaction, CPT-supporter Maria Rosales said, "This is racist. If natives had attacked non-natives, they would have been arrested right away."
RCMP Acting-Sergeant Cam Croal said during the occupation of the Kitchener detachment that the New Brunswick RCMP may not have acted because a "riot" was in progress. CPTer Joel Klassen replied, "You had plenty of time to stop the vandalism. Plans to destroy native lobster traps were announced 24 hours in advance. Since then, you've done nothing to prevent another riot when the Mi'kmaq lay new traps. Aboriginal and treaty rights are part of the same law which you are required to uphold."
Croal eventually produced a news release just issued by the New Brunswick RCMP saying that 25 persons had been charged with criminal code offences relating to the fisheries conflict. He insisted that the RCMP was not racist and was determined to keep the peace on the New Brunswick fishing grounds. CPT Canada Coordinator Doug Pritchard asked Croal about news reports that the government was about to impose illegal conditions on the Mi'kmaq fishery. Croal denied any knowledge of these plans. As the occupation of the RCMP office concluded, Pritchard said that Canadians would be watching police and government actions in New Brunswick closely, and if more evidence of racist policing surfaced, CPT would be back.

Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the
Brethren congregations and Friends Meetings that supports violence reduction
efforts around the world. Contact: CPT P. O. Box 6508 Chicago, IL 60680
Telephone: 312-455-1199 ~*~ Fax: 312-666-2677 ~*~ e-mail: cpt@igc.org
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URL: http://www.prairienet.org/cpt/ Contact: Doug Pritchard, CPT, Chicago IL