Aboriginal Protest Slows Traffic While RCMP Watch

Aboriginal Protest Slows Traffic While RCMP Watch

Monday, June 28, 2010 at 13:18

 

 

A protest by Aboriginal people slowed traffic merging onto the northbound Battlefords Bridge Friday afternoon.

 

But it wasn’t stopped altogether –- RCMP made sure of that.

 

Staff Sgt. Phil Wilson, the new commanding officer of the Battlefords RCMP, was out there himself, just to make sure things went smoothly.

 

Wilson says there were no confrontations and no one got hurt, which was the best they could expect under the circumstances.

 

Battlefords resident Sharmaine Roy organized the demonstration to protest poverty on reserves and treaty rights that haven’t been fulfilled.

 

Friday’s protest, which ended at around 7:00 that evening, was held in conjunction with others across Canada to mark the National Day of Action.

 

Several years ago, Aboriginal protesters blocked the Battlefords Bridges, resulting in long lines of traffic and angry motorists.

 

Some of the protesters ended up in court.