Roadblocks return, Brant arrested, officers injured

Deseronto – The arrest of Mohawk activist Shawn Brant has led to the hospitalization of two OPP officers and several roadblocks being erected throughout Deseronto.

Brant was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with assault with a weapon, mischief under $5,000, breach of recognizance, weapons dangerous and possession of marijuana.

“Some may have a misconception of why Brant was arrested, it was not protest-related,” OPP media relations officer Sgt. Kristine Rae said.

While making the arrest, the OPP and others who attended the scene became involved in a confrontation. Police officers were assaulted and an OPP cruiser's window was smashed, police said. Roadblocks on Deseronto Road and Cty. Rd. 2 were then set up by the OPP in the interest of public safety.

Later Friday afternoon, the OPP attempted to arrest suspects wanted in connection to the April 21 protests which closed a section of Cty. Rd. 2 at the east end of Deseronto.

The OPP met with Mohawk activists north of the Thurlow Aggregates quarry which led to a second confrontation. During the clash, there were reports of a possible long gun being aimed at the OPP which prompted officers to draw their weapons.

'There are aspects of Friday that are still under investigation,” Rae said when asked about the gun sighting.

The second confrontation resulted in 10 arrests being made and four officers being injured, two of whom were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

'This violent criminal activity occurred outside of any legitimate protest and will not be tolerated,' OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said in a press release. “Police officers being assaulted and injured for doing their utmost to keep the peace and protect the law-abiding community is unacceptable.'

Police with automatic weapons manned a roadblock on Lower Slash Road Friday night a few hundred metres from where a Mohawk barricade had been set up that night.

Saturday morning Mohawk activists used trucks, trees and fire to block Cty. Rd. 2 along the boundary of Deseronto and Tyendinaga Territory. The OPP soon closed Cty. Rd. 2 in Deseronto and tried to negotiate with the Mohawk activists.

“We are in constant communication with people in the vicinity of the different protests,” Rae said.

As rumours of negotiations spread throughout Deseronto, police moved their vehicles away from the Cty. Rd. 2 roadblock, Activists dismantled and set up their roadblock several times on Sunday.

“If we don't do this now it will drag on forever until we have nothing,” said a member of the Mohawk Warriors who gave as his alias ‘AKWS’.

“We don't want our children's children to have to do this. This is our duty.”

Angry motorists trying to drive through Deseronto yelled at the activists as they blocked their route.

“Have fun in jail,” one motorist yelled as he turned around.

Jail is not considered an option by AKWS or 'Waffle House' who was also at the barricade. Both members of the Mohawk Warriors had travelled from the United States to stand in solidarity with their fellow Mohawks.

“I'm not going to jail, I don't go by their system,” Waffle House said.

The Mohawk Warriors said they do not intend to use violence unless it’s for self-defence. They dismissed reports of a gun being sighted at the quarry as government propaganda.

“We don't have weapons and will stay peaceful as long as they do,” Waffle House said. “But I am prepared to get hurt. I will go fist to gun if I have to.”

Article ID# 1003755