a year, AIM’s efforts will reduce Indian arrests in
Minneapolis by 50 percent. AIM’s early victories
will attract members from urban Indian populations
from across the country, quickly making it the most
influential national Indian activist organization.
November 18
Mohawk protesters blockade the Cornwall-
Massena International Bridge.
In order to build the Cornwall-Massena Interna-
tional Bridge over the St. Lawrence River, Canada
appropriated Akwesasne Mohawk land, where the
country intended to build a customs station and
tollbooths. The Canadian Akwesasne Mohawk
challenged the action, invoking Jay’s Treaty (see
entry for NOVEMBER 19, 1794), which gave the
Mohawk the right to travel back and forth between
the United States and Canada at will. Canada ig-
nored their demands and required them to pay tolls
while crossing the bridge.
After years of objecting to the toll, the Mo-
hawk bring attention to their cause by staging a
dramatic protest, during which they blockade the
bridge. None of the participants are prosecuted,
and the following February the Akwesasne Mohawk
of Canada are issued passes so that they can cross
the bridge at no cost.