Protesters in Caledonia land dispute return to McKenzie Meadows site

The land dispute in Caledonia continues with protesters saying they have no intention of leaving.

The Six Nations Land Defenders returned to McKenzie Meadows Thursday, after OPP officers enforcing a court injunction cleared them out the day before.

Ontario Provincial Police confirm rubber bullets were used.

They say some protesters failed to comply and threw rocks at officers.

“For their personal safety, OPP members were required to use appropriate, non-lethal force in response,” OPP said in a statement.

“A single ARWEN device (rubber bullet) was deployed, and no injuries were sustained by demonstrators.”

Nine protesters were arrested, including Skyer Williams.

“Until yesterday, this was a completely peaceful occupation of our territory,” said Williams.

“Until the violence that the OPP brought here.”

Protesters are unhappy about the sale of the land and say the developer never tried to have meaningful consultation with them.

They’ve been protesting at the site since mid July.

The group is made up of members of the hereditary council and does not recognize the authority of the elected council, which approved the sale.

Haldimand County says the sale was legal and had all the proper permits.

Mayor Ken Hewitt says this is “civil disobedience,” adding it’s not fair that the developer and the people of Haldimand County are being “held hostage.”

Once the protesters were forced to leave Wednesday, members of the community moved to the Highway 6 bypass and Argyle Street, where they blocked the road into the night.