Grassy Narrows Protest at Queen's Park

Hundreds of demonstrators converged on the lawn of the Ontario legislature this afternoon, calling for action over mercury poisoning on the Grassy Narrows First Nation.

Members of the reserve north of Kenora, marched through the streets of Toronto carrying pieces of blue fabric to form a symbolic wild river and holding up paper fish on sticks.

Almost two dozen police officers on bicycles escorted the demonstrators to the legislature, where the protesters held banners reading ``Clean Water, Our Survival'' and ``Native Rights Now''.

A study out yesterday says residents of the reserve are still suffering health effects from mercury that was dumped into the Wabigoon River three decades ago.

Residents say babies are being born with health defects that they blame on the contamination.

Fellowship Funding

A shot in the arm for the Kenora Fellowship Center.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation has come up with 150 thousanddollars over three years to help operate the emergency shelter.

Henry Hildebrand is one of the people who helps run theCenter and says the money will keep the shelteropen.

Hildebrand says the Shelter provides food and a place to stayfor up to a dozen people a night.

Grassy Narrows First Nation Mercury Poison

An international expert says the health effects ofmercury poisoning on the Grassy Narrows First Nation are worse now than in the 1970s.

The environmental group Earthroots says between 1962 and 1970 apaper mill in Dryden dumped 20 thousand pounds of mercury into theWabigoon River.

Grassy Resident Chrissy Swain was part of a press conference yesterday inToronto to talk about the situation.

She says the effects of mercury polution are still being felt.

Harada first visited theGrassy Narrows reserve in 1975 and found people with mercury levels over three times the Health Canada limit.

Earthroots says when Harada returned in 2004 he found thateveryone who had mercury levels above the 1975 Health Canada guidelines had died.

Molesti Update

There will be another court appearance for the man accused of trying to buy a 5 year old online.

56 year old Patrick Molesti will have a second detention review hearing today to see if he will still remain at the Thunder Bay detention centre.

Canada Border Services Spokesperson Kris Kealey says a seperate process is underway to see if he will be removed from Canada.

Molesti is facing several child pornography charges in the US.

Blood Donor Clinic

157 blood donors walked through the doors of St. Thomas Aquinas High School yesterday.

Canadian Blood Services says they collected 133 units of blood which was 23 over their target.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather adds people can still donate blood today.

Today's clinic runs until 12:30.

To make an appointment call 1-888-2-DONATE.