Native Protest Delays Traffic On Major Highway

Native Protest Delays Traffic On Major Highway

Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 13:26

 

 

Hundreds of motorists on a major artery near North Battleford had their Victoria Day plans delayed a couple of hours yesterday by a blockade erected by Aboriginal protesters.

 

The demonstrators say they took the action to show solidarity with Native people involved in a tense land dispute in Caledonia, Ontario.

 

According to the RCMP, roughly 10 people began blocking a bridge just outside the city over the noon hour — affecting traffic on Highway 16 headed south and west.

 

Traffic was backed up on the highway and the ring road of North Battleford for about 3 kilometres.

 

The protesters eventually agreed to open traffic to one lane after negotiations with the RCMP.

 

Traffic returned to normal after the protesters took down their blockade just before 2:00 pm.

 

RCMP spokeswoman Heather Russell says traffic tickets have been issued to the ringleaders of yesterday’s demonstration. They must pay a fine or contest the tickets in court in July.

 

Russell adds the protest was peaceful.