Mohawks close Canada border crossing

CORNWALL, Ontario, June 2 (UPI) -- A Canada-U.S. border station on Indian territory that straddles Canada and upstate New York was closed Tuesday by protesting Mohawks.

Canadian border guards abandoned their posts at the Seaway International Bridge near Cornwall, Ontario, Monday night after some 400 Mohawks camped out near their buildings, Sun Media reported.

The Indians who live on the Akwesasne First Nation reservation are opposed to a new law that allows Canadian border guards to carry 9 mm handguns as of June 1, the report said.

Chief Tim Thompson told the news agency soon after the Canadian guards left, their U.S. counterparts did the same thing and police on both sides barricaded the crossing.

The Canwest News Service noted Akwesasne residents have never protested U.S. border agents carrying weapons, but tribal spokesman Brendan White said armed Canadian border guards created the potential for violence.

"There is no need for them to be armed," White said. "Within the same border facility are Mohawk security officers and they provide a peaceful and respectful approach to any confrontation that may arise."