The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Speaking Notes
June 2, 2009
As of 5pm, yesterday the North Span of the Three Nations Bridge Crossing has been re-opened for Akwesasne residents. This was the result of negotiations between MCA District Chiefs, Cornwall City Police and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services. This is a positive development that will help alleviate the concerns and address the urgent needs of Kawehnoke residents.
Since the public demonstration began on May 1st, it has been and will continue to be a peaceful demonstration of our community’s opposition to the arming of CBSA Officers at this Port of Entry. We have not wavered in our position that we will not allow CBSA Officers to carry firearms on the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory.
Community Leaders from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs have been meeting to discuss any developments and ongoing efforts to peacefully resolve this issue and address our concerns.At this time, CBSA Vice-President Luc Podalance has contacted MCA and indicated his willingness to meet and discuss our opposition to the arming initiative. We are making arrangement to meet with the CBSA Vice-President within the next few days.
For those residents that are being impacted by the closure of the crossing’s South Span, an Emergency Operations Center was established at the CIA #3 Building to implement measures as only emergency response personnel are being allowed to cross. That information is being relayed to community members through our local radio station and addresses the needs of our community members.
At the request of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services and the MCA Emergency Operations Center, press briefings will be held firstly informing community members located at the site, then the press will be informed at the at the end of the North Span every 4 hours. This is to provide for our community’s safety and continued access to the bridge crossing. Again, the North Span has been opened for local traffic and we wish to have measures to remain operational.
