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November
4, 2003
CANON DORAN ARRESTED, THEN RELEASED BY PEACEFUL BLOCKADE
 The
Reverend Canon Paddy Doran led well over 200 people through
Red Hill Valley this morning to the site of the large clearcut
on the face of the Niagara Escarpment. At the start of the
walk, Canon Doran was blessed by the Bishop of the Niagara
Diocese of the Anglican Church. He and religious leaders
from other faiths led participants in prayer, poetry and
hymns at several spots along the way.
The
final prayers and hymns were sung at the edge of the clearcut.
An area approximately 100 metres wide has been completely
cleared of trees from the top of the escarpment to the bottom.
Protesters
view the desecration of the escarpment forest.
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Canon
Doran then proceeded alone across the fence into the clearcut
where he was confronted by three security guards who physically
tried to prevent him from entering the site. Canon Doran
persisted and was ‘arrested’ by the security guards
who escorted him up the hill to a location that could be
reached by police vehicles.
Over
twenty other participants also crossed the fencing and sat
down on the logs strewn about the clearcut. They were informed
they would also be arrested. Those on both sides of the
fence sang Amazing Grace over and over. A few people moved
up the hill to accompany Reverend Doran. Soon after they
asked the other walkers to join them. Everyone ascended
the hill and all of them crossed another section of fencing
to the trail where four police vehicles were located.
Several other participants also crossed
the fencing and sat down on the logs strewn about
the clearcut.
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Officers
of the Hamilton police department formally arrested Canon
Doran and placed him in one of the police vehicles. However,
as they attempted to drive out along the narrow trail,
more than two dozen people blocked the path. Seniors in
the front row linked arms and informed the police that
they were not moving and would not allow the Canon to
be taken away.
More
than two dozen people blocked the path. Seniors
in the front row linked arms and informed the police
that they were not moving and would not allow the
Canon to be taken away.
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The
police vehicle inched forward but no one moved out of
the way.
After
10-15 minutes of this stalemate, the police unconditionally
released Canon Doran. Then the path was opened and participants
in the walk stood to the side of the trail and applauded
the police officers as they left the area.
See
press release below, issued by the Reverand Canon Doran and
announcing the protest.
Red
Hill Creek Valley Protest
Hamilton, Ontario
November
3, 2003
The
Reverend Canon Patrick Doran will protest the cutting
of trees in the Red Hill Creek Valley on Tuesday, November
4 at 10am by walking from the Rosedale Arena up to where
the trees are being cut down on the escarpment.
In
the Octave of All Saints, on Tuesday November 4th it is
my intention to protest the cutting of the trees in the
Red Hill Creek Valley. These trees are being cut in preparation
for a 300 ft wide freeway through the major green belt of
East Hamilton.
My particular concern is that this pre-emptive measure is
taking place one week before a pivotal civic election. The
damage done this week will be irreversible and represents
an affront to the democratic process.
As we think of the lives of those we call saints we see
them standing in solidarity with the marginalized and powerless,
even as Christ our Lord did. It’s not that I want to
be arrested. I am simply called to stand with those who
have attempted to stop the destruction of a beautiful and,
indeed, sacred place.
Having
watched protesters being arrested and rounded up this past
week and knowing the irreversible damage that is being done,
I find myself in this place. I protest this devastation
a week before the election. I protest the blindness of destroying
the heritage of our children. I protest the lack of a Niagara
Escarpment Commission permit for this massive undertaking.
As the staff person for the Anglican Niagara Diocesan Outreach
Committee, I carry their opposition to the Red Hill Expressway
with me. The committee agreed to “support the opposition
to the Red Hill Valley Expressway and in doing so support
the native initiative to protect their sacred burial grounds.”
I
am a lifetime resident of this area and I know the profound
value of access to sacred areas of God’s creation.
While I oppose the destruction of the Red Hill Creek Valley,
in all compassion, we must find alternate ways to relieve
the frustration of East End vehicular traffic. One alternative
might be to connect the “Linc” to the QEW at Fruitland
Road which would not only save East Hamilton’s green
space but also take the terrible toll of heavy transport
traffic out of the heart of our city.
My intention is to walk up the escarpment from the Rosedale
Arena, on the south end of Cochrane Road at 10am on Tuesday
morning. I will walk to the place where the chainsaws are
cutting down the trees and ask that they be stopped. I would
like as many of you as possible to walk with me, to see
what is happening in the valley and to bear witness. This
protest is simply for a “stay of execution” until
democracy has its say.
May
God be with you all.
The
Reverend Canon Patrick Doran
(905)
528-3724
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