Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Idle No More: Protesters force VIA to stop trains

VIA Rail has been forced to stop passenger trains between Toronto and Montreal and Toronto and Ottawa because of a blockade on the tracks near Marysville, Ont.

VIA Rail says ground transportation will get passengers through the site of the blockade, which is one of several protests across the country as part of a national day of action in the Idle No More movement.

This is the third time the tracks near Marysville, between Belleville and Kingston, have been blocked as part of a protest.

Most recently, hundreds of passengers were stranded during the post-Christmas travel rush earlier this month.

A judge who ordered an injunction to stop the protest said thousands of people would have been affected if the protest continued. That order expired on Tuesday.

Before the blockade began, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory protester Dan Doreen wouldn’t say how long the protest would last or where it would take place.

Rail traffic has also been halted near Portage la Prairie, Man. because of a blockade, CN Rail spokesman Jim Feeny said.

Hundreds of people also marched to and then rallied at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, near the Canada-U.S. border, beginning just after 11 a.m. Twitter user Craig Babin tweeted that he was stuck in traffic in Windsor for two hours because of the protest.

“I hope when people see us all come together that they’ll get the message we’re not divided, that we’re not happy with the way the government deals with us,” Delaware Nation Chief Greg Peters said before the protest.

By 2 p.m., traffic was flowing across the bridge again, as protesters gathered together beside the roadway, Windsor Police said.

The Ontario Provincial Police have warned of traffic delays on 400-series highways today because of protest activity.

An Ontario Superior Court judge criticized the OPP for its hands-off approach to dealing with Idle No More protests.

On Tuesday, the OPP said it wouldn’t change that approach.

Original Article
Source: the star
Author: Karissa Donkin 

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