On Tuesday afternoon the 19 people who had gathered to block the two rail lines passing through Lennoxville were arrested by the Sherbrooke Police, who had been monitoring the situation throughout the day. In a brief written comment, Michael E. Williams Vice President of Corporate Communications with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc., the company that owns the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, said that the company is grateful that the situation was resolved quickly and peacefully.
“We respect the claims of the First Nations and the right to protest but, for everyone’s safety, we ask people not to get on the railroad right-of-way,” he said.
According to Police spokesperson Martin Carrier, the arrests were made based on two complaints filed against the blockade and carry with them charges of mischief under article 430 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Article 430 states that everyone commits mischief who wilfully a) destroys or damages property; b) renders property dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective; c) obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property; or d) obstructs, interrupts or interferes with any person in the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property. The protestors were all identified and then released on the promise to appear to face their charges on April 25 of this year.
See the full story in the February 27, edition of The Record
