Chronicling community action, revolutionary and revealing thought

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

In the "YEAH, RIGHT!" department

Just to remind us of the sort of legacy Harris left behind:-

Before Sam George, Dudley George's brother, at the Ipperwash inquiry in Forest, Ontario - an inquiry he staunchly opposed while in office - former Premier Mike Harris took the stand, and denied using an expletive in referring to the First Nations peoples, and said he never imposed his will on police during the deadly standoff 10 years ago at Ipperwash Provincial Park.

He's accused by many of pushing for the hardline tactics that led to the 1995 shooting death of native protester Dudley George.

He also rejected former attorney general Charles Harnick's claim that he heard Harris say "I want those f***ing Indians out of the park" during an emergency meeting at the Ontario Legislature on the day of the shooting. "I absolutely did not say that, or words to that effect. The language is not foreign to me, but not the kind of language I would use at any kind of meeting like the meeting we were at."

Dudley George was fatally shot by police just hours after the meeting, when officers in riot gear began to advance on the park- a show of force long said to be the work of Harris and his government. The Chiefs on Ontario, a coalition of First Nations leaders, issued a statement expresing disappointment that Harris "is not willing to accept any responsibility" for Dudley George's death.

So Mike Harris is saying the truth, eh...?

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