Solidarity protests in support of Wet’suwet’en pipeline opponents continue to block the Highway 6 Caledonia bypass but are no longer blocking roads in Hagersville.

Haudenosaunee Confederacy members and supporters blocked the busy Highway 6 bypass around Caledonia on Monday and settled in the next day with a growing barricade of pallets, a trailer and barrel fire for heat. The Highway 6 bypass was still closed between Argyle Street South and Greens Road as of early Wednesday afternoon.

Late Tuesday, a separate solidarity demonstration had blocked Highway 6 further south at First Line in Hagersville. It lasted about five hours until demonstrators left, said OPP Const. Rodney LeClair.

Six Nations members set up barricade in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs

Ontario Provincial Police continue to warn of delays and appealing for motorists to be patient.

“Hello, Canada; wake up. We’re not going away,” said Rhonda Martin, a member of the Cayuga Nation, Bear Clan, who spoke to reporters at the Caledonia bypass barricade Tuesday. “I don’t know why the Government of Canada can’t see that. We’re not going away, so deal with us.”

Protesters also blocked a CN rail line in Hamilton late Monday and into Tuesday, prompting police to close access to the rail junction and GO Transit to cancel trains out of Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Hamilton’s West Harbour station. It was abadoned late Tuesday evening.

The blockades in Hamilton, Caledonia and Hagersville popped up after the OPP dismantled a long-running rail blockade in Tyendinaga on the weekend.

On Tuesday, Martin described the actions as “solidarity” protests in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs opposing construction of a contentious natural gas pipeline through unceded territory in B.C.

Martin said the group will remain blocking Highway 6 between Argyle Street South and Greens Road until Wet’suwet’en demands are met, particularly that the RCMP and pipeline workers leave the traditional lands of the First Nations band in B.C.

“When we get word from them, we’ll go home,” said Martin.

Critics of the blockades have argued Wet’suwet’en elected band councils support the planned B.C. natural gas line and that the rail blockade is causing problems like propane shortages for people across Canada.

Colleen Davis, a member of the Mohawk Nation’s Bear Clan, said Tuesday the elected band councils in B.C. — and locally in Six Nations — are part of a “ colonial imposed” system of government that does not reflect the traditional hereditary system of chiefs and clan mothers.

Regardless, she said the band councils are not responsible for the “unceded” Wet’suwet’en lands that pipeline opponents are striving to protect.

Martin also dismissed complaints about the impact of the Caledonia blockade. “Don’t talk to me about inconvenience. We have an entire history of inconvenience to tell you about.”

Ontario Provincial Police cars surrounded both ends of the bypass Tuesday and a helicopter could be seen patrolling overhead.

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Martin said she hopes police will not try to forcibly evict the group, but if it happens “we are going to resist,” she said. “For me, anyway, I am going to stand my ground.”

In Hamilton, CN has served a court injunction on rail-blocking protesters. But LeClair said Tuesday he is not aware of any injunctions related to the road blockades.

LeClair added Tuesday the demonstration has been “peaceful” and that the primary focus of police is “to preserve the peace and maintain a safe environment for everyone involved.”

He said police are asking the public to be patient if impacted by traffic delays.

Motorists can check in advance for road advisory information and the latest updates on Twitter @OPP_WR.