Mohawk Council of Kahnawake takes action on Anti-Contraband billboard fiasco, company apologizes

03/12/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke (MCK) wishes to inform Kahnawa�kehr�:non that the company that administers billboard advertising in Kahnawa:ke is apologizing to the community after an advertisement appeared on the Territory containing an  �anti-contraband� tobacco message.

Concerned community members gathered where the billboard stands near Glen Delaronde�s garage last evening after taking offence to the French-language message that �buying contraband tobacco funds organized crime.� Chief Bobby Patton, who was in attendance, informed the Peacekeepers that the advertisement was being physically removed.

�It�s absolutely appalling that an advertisement that goes directly against our right to strive for economic independence should appear on the Territory,� said Chief Patton. �This type of incident is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.�

Chief Christine Zachary-Deom contacted Astral Out-of-Home on behalf of MCK this morning.

�Astral is the company that erects, maintains and sells advertising space on the billboards throughout the community,� she said. �The company apologized profusely and pledged to be far more diligent in these matters. This matter is not closed, but the apology is a first step. We need guarantees, not reassurances.�

The MCK believes the advertisement was purchased by Echec au crime (the Quebec version of Crimestoppers) as part of a campaign by the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco.

The MCK had no prior knowledge of the contents of the billboard.