Aboriginal rights and people under attack

Page 7

Dear Editor:

On Sept. 5, 1995, a heavily armed force of Ontario riot police and snipers massed at Ipperwash Park on lake Huron in Ontario.

They had been sent to confront a small group of Chippewa demonstrators who were occupying the small park because it contained a sacred burial ground. The graves had been bulldozed when the park was built years before.

It is believed that a senior government official gave the order to "get the f***ing Indians out of the park, even if you have to use guns."

Around midnight, the riot police and snipers advanced on the park. First, a number of the demonstrators were beaten with batons and boots by the police. A young man then drove a school bus toward the police, apparently in self-defence.

The police began firing their weapons, and within minutes, three of the demonstrators had been shot. Anthony 'Dudley' George died of a machine gun wound to his chest.

For 18 months, the Ontario government has refused to call a public inquiry into this tragic injustice. The killing of an unarmed First Nations person while he was defending Aboriginal and treaty rights is the concern of all First Nations peoples.

Dudley George's death must not go unanswered.

If the Ontario government and police can get away with killing one of our people because he was defending our Aboriginal and treaty rights, then Dudley George's death will not be the last.

For more information contact the Dudley George family:

P.O. Box 809

Forest, ON

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