And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: My impression, which I have not researched recently, is that this is the first time that non-Indians have been attacked on Parliament Hill by the RCMP en masse. On the other hand, "homeless" may be a variant definition of Indian, which has, after all, never been a strictly racial term. Indeed, in the late 19th century a savage was a member of a culture which lacked agriculture and printing and who was "ignorant of the knowledge of God." Surely "the homeless" as an emerging culture in their own right could, from the upper reaches of the Centre Block, or from behind a billy club or pepper spray can appear as much like Indians to the RCMP as the Viet Cong appeared to be Indians to the U.S. Marines. http://newsworld.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/go.pl?1999/11/17/homeless991117 -- Michael W. Posluns, The Still Waters Group, First Nations Relations & Public Policy Please feel free to ask us about our Topic Based Hansard files, Canadian parliamentary debates compiled by topics and bills. Please note new address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 416 656-8613 Fax: 416 656-2715 36 Lauder Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Susan Bonner and Julie Van Dusen report for CBC TV Evan Dyer reports for CBC Radio NEWSWORLD COVERAGE: CLIP:CBC Newsworld's Alison Smith interviews Michael Shapcott of the National Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Protesters clash with riot police on Parliament Hill WebPosted Wed Nov 17 22:36:19 1999 OTTAWA - Homeless people took their call for more affordable housing to Parliament Hill Wednesday. But their demonstration quickly grew violent as they clashed with dozens of riot police. The protesters, who came from Toronto, Montreal, Kingston and the Mohawk nation reserve, said they wanted to speak to the prime minister. When that didn't happen, a pushing match broke out at the metal barricades put up by the RCMP. Police used pepper spray on demonstrators As anger grew, demonstrators threw rocks and cans and then tried to break through metal barricades. The RCMP tactical squad responded by dousing the crowd with pepper spray into the crowd, a first for a Parliament Hill protest. At least one protester and one police officer were treated for injuries. One protester was arrested. After a tense stand-off, the crowd dispersed. The protesters are demanding the federal government pour more money into social programs and affordable housing. They say years of federal spending cuts have created a crisis for people living on the margins of society. It was the second homeless protest in Ottawa in less than a week. Last Friday, riot police dragged off dozens of people blocking a bridge in front of the National Defence Headquarters. That group wanted the government to slash military spending and use the money on shelter for needy Canadians. The protesters accuse the Chretien government of paying lip service to the need for affordable housing, while ever more Canadians are trapped in a cycle of homelessness and joblessness. The minister responsible for homelessness says the government has handed out more than $1 million for more shelters. But more shelters are not what the activists are after. They want homes, low cost housing and income support. They left vowing to return to keep up the pressure. Copyright © 1999 CBC All Rights Reserved Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<> Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ <><<<<<>>>>><><<<<>
