Klusa'si
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 6:54 PM
Subject: ESGENOPETITJ - How do you define terrorism?
ESGENOOPETITJ - How do you define terrorism? October 17, 2001 On October 10, 2001, three Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) vessels intercepted and confiscated an Esgenoopetitj First Nation (EFN) boat containing two fishers, about a half-kilometre from the shore of this Mi’kmaq community James Simon’s boat had been heading towards shore after searching for traps that had been cut loose by non-Aboriginal fishers on September 16 within the DFO-designated fishing zone, when two larger DFO Zodiacs began chasing him. The DFO vessels rammed the smaller EFN vessel. DFO officers then apprehended the occupants and towed the boat to the Neguac wharf where it was confiscated. The EFN boat was not engaged in fishing, and even if it had been, it was within the EFN fishing zone designated by the DFO when it was rammed by DFO vessels. A buildup of police officers and vehicles had also been noted at the foot of the Burnt Church wharf earlier in the day. Then, at the time of the seizure, a military-type plane swooped low over the boats and community members on the shore. This co-ordinated sea-land-and-air exercise to seize one fishing boat was clearly designed to intimidate the entire community at Esgenoopetitj. One observer asked, “How does Canada define terrorism?” EFN Ranger Leo Bartibogue drove his boat to the scene to check on the safety of the apprehended fishers, but was prevented from reaching Simons’ boat. DFO officers informed him that they were taking Simon in for questioning, and he would then be released. Gerry Lepp, a Christian Peacemaker Team member who was on the boat with Bartibogue said, “The officers seemed to have no reasons for what they were doing. It appears this was a pre-meditated act of harassment that has more to do with intimidation and destroying a people’s will than addressing any illegal fishing activity.” The two fishers on Simon’s boat were taken to the Neguac wharf and released. Members of the CPT New Brunswick team include Gerry Lepp (Harrow, ON), Vern Riediger (Toronto, ON), Janet Shoemaker (Goshen, IN) and Lena Siegers (Brussels, ON) CPT has come to New Brunswick at the invitation of the people of Esgenoopetitj to accompany the First Nations people as they struggle for their right to fish. Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative among Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations, Friends Meetings and other Christians that supports violence reduction efforts around the world. Contact CPT, PO Box 72063, 1562 Danforth Ave., Toronto ON M4J 5C1, ph 416-421-7079, fax 416-467-1508, email cptcan@web.ca; or CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680, ph 312-455-1199, fax 312-432-1213, email cpt@igc.org. To join CPTNET, visit us on the WEB: www.cpt.org |
LAST UP-DATED SUNDAY DECEMBER 9TH 2001
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