OPP officers have arrested a native man on Douglas Creek Estates, the first arrest on the site since an ill-fated raid more than two years ago fuelled a protracted land claims dispute.
Reading from a prepared statement yesterday at the site, native spokesperson Dawn Smith said the OPP broke an agreement made on April 20, 2006 not to enter the property.
That was the day dozens of OPP officers entered in a pre-dawn raid, arresting 16 protesters at the Argyle Street South subdivision they had by then occupied for eight weeks. It sparked native blockades and violent clashes.
Smith compared yesterday's arrest of Kenneth Greene with the police tactics in Ipperwash that led to the death of native activist Dudley George in 1995.
"Today rings of Ipperwash all over again," said Smith, surrounded by native supporters. "In our eyes, it was a direct act of aggression and hostility against all Haudenosaunee. The OPP were ready to shoot."
Haldimand OPP Constable Paula Wright could not confirm that police pointed guns at anyone.
Greene, 43, of no fixed address, is charged with disguise with intent, four counts of assault with a weapon, three charges of uttering death or bodily harm threats, two counts of intimidation and four counts of mischief.
The charges are in connection with events on Labour Day, when the arrest of a prominent Six Nations spokesperson and two others in Brantford triggered a chain reaction that led to parts of Caledonia being barricaded.
The arrest follows a separate incident on Thursday when Dana Chatwell, who lives in a home at the edge of the property, alleged Greene threatened her husband Dave Brown with a gun.
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................... We can now tell you that a Six Nations man arrested at the reclamation site this morning was 43-year-old Kenneth Greene. It’s alleged that the man, also known as “Sleeper”, took part in the activities of September 1st in Caledonia, not demonstrations in Brantford as was reported earlier. The arrest, which took place without the permission of Six Nations, caused several residents from the territory to gather at the site and in turn, got the attention of Caledonia residents who were left wondering what was happening. Greene is facing several charges, among them, four counts of assault with a weapon. Several Six Nations and Caledonia residents took part in demonstrations of September 1st that also saw a return to barricades being erected. They were only up for a matter of hours however. (CKRZ) ... Caledonia tense after native arrestedCALEDONIA –Tensions are running high around the disputed Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia today following the arrest of a native man on the site.
The arrest was made in connection with events that occurred on Labour Day.
Few details are currently available. However, representatives from Six Nations are planning a 3:30 p.m. press conference at the site regarding the arrest.
Police this morning arrested Kenneth Greene, 43, of no fixed addres, and charged him with disguise with intent, four counts of assault with a weapon, three charges of uttering death or bodily harm threats, two counts of intimidation and four counts of mischief.
The charges do not involve a gun.
Greene remains in custody for a bail hearing.
OPP Haldimand detachment commander acting Inspector Mike Rigby is appealing for the public’s help. Anyone with information about the Labour Day unrest can call 905-3322 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
On Labour Day, the arrest of a prominent Six Nations spokesperson and two others in Brantford triggered a chain reaction that led to parts of Caledonia being shut down for hours.
The blockades started Sept. 1 around 9 a.m. when Six Nations protesters set up barricades on Argyle Street South and blocked the Highway 6 bypass.
Stephen Powless, 43, and two teens were arrested in Brantford for allegedly being on the construction site at the Hampton Inn on Fen Ridge Court, next to the Kingspan Insulated Panels development site from which they are barred.
After the barricades on Argyle and the bypass had been were removed, angry Caledonia residents refused to let traffic resume on Argyle Street South. The bypass was open sometime during the afternoon, but Argyle was not fully open to traffic until nearly 6 p.m., after a brief standoff between residents and about 50 OPP officers.
Stephen Powless, 43, and two teens were arrested in Brantford for allegedly being on the construction site at the Hampton Inn on Fen Ridge Court, next to the Kingspan Insulated Panels development site from which they are barred.
In a separate incident, residents in the area said they are concerned that an OPP cruiser was stationed at a home on the Sixth Line throughout the night and was still there this morning.
The home has been the target of a number of actions involving native protesters since the dispute began.
There are unconfirmed reports of an altercation at the home between its occupant and at least one native man. No injuries have been reported.
A spokesman for the OPP said both incidents are under investigation and more information will be provided later.
jburman@thespec.com
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