O.P.P. Worry Weekend Caledonia Rally Could Spark New Violence

The standoff that began in Caledonia last February is still ongoing, as protestors continue to claim the site where a new housing complex has been built is actually native land.

Clashes between those who live in the town near Hamilton and those who’ve set up barriers and occupied the neighbourhood have been frequent, with the O.P.P. caught in the middle.

And now the always-tense atmosphere is heating up again, with two new developments – a planned weekend rally and the appointment of Julian Fantino as the new head of the Ontario Provincial Police.

There’s no word on how many people may show up for the gathering, but the O.P.P. has already issued a warning noting it doesn’t support the event and is pleading with locals not to attend for their own safety.

“Rallies fuelled by negative emotions generally result in injuries and criminal charges,” it cautions in a statement. “Ultimately, the O.P.P. hopes that common sense prevails.” It insists the community doesn’t want the gathering to take place at all and that an uneasy peace is better than no peace at all.

Meanwhile, members of Ontario First Nations aren’t all that happy with Fantino’s appointment, complaining they weren’t consulted in the choice.

“The O.P.P. play a lead role in the policing of First Nation people and communities throughout the province of Ontario, the appointment of a new Commissioner to the O.P.P. directly affects our communities,” notes Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse in his own statement.

There have been several shoving and shouting matches at the Caledonia site, and several arrests have resulted from confrontations between both sides.

The O.P.P. is especially sensitive to the situation since it’s the ‘middle man’ and the shooting of native protestor Dudley George at Ipperwash in 1995 has already tarnished its relationship with aboriginal Canadians.

It’s believed former O.P.P. Commissioner Gwen Boniface lost her position partly because of her handling of the Caledonia affair.

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