HALDIMAND –AOn October 4th, 2014, a portion of Highway #6 was shut down for two days for a demonstration intended to draw attention to the estimated 1,200 missing and murdered Indigenous women across Canada.
There was not a confrontation between the OPP and the demonstrators at the time and it was a peaceful event. However, three men have been charged in connection with the action.
The media release states, “Members of the Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and other deployed units from West Region OPP were deployed to Highway 6 near the Fourth Line on Saturday October 4, 2014 due to a demonstration in the area affecting public safety on the highway.
“Due to the safety concerns, detour routes were set up at the Third Line to the south and the Fifth Line to the north. The closure continued into the evening of Sunday, October 5, 2014 before the highway was reopened to the public.
“As a result of the interference on the highway the OPP commenced a criminal investigation which resulted in three persons being charged.”
Charged with Mischief contrary to the Criminal Code are 58-year-old William Monture – Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, 52-year-old Glenn Green of Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, and 35-year-old Cody Fero of Hamilton.
“It’s not about us at all,” says Monture. “It’s about the murdered and missing Indigenous women. This is only a distraction so they don’t have to deal with what the issue is.”
Monture considers the charges a slap on the wrist, but adds, “If they would do their job, I wouldn’t need to do what I’ve gotta do. We did what we had to do. We put out 1,400 fliers explaining the situation and why we were there. We can’t quit on this issue. It’s too important. Let’s keep it moving.”
Monture, Green and Fero will be in court on Dec. 2, at 10 am, at courtroom #1 in Cayuga.
