Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope, in a bold and historic protest, gathered again on Mauna Kea today to stand for a mountain they say is sacred ground. ADVERTISING Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope, in a bold and historic
Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope, in a bold and historic protest, gathered again on Mauna Kea today to stand for a mountain they say is sacred ground.
Between 75 and 100 protesters, who call themselves protectors of the mountain, gathered before sunrise outside the Mauna Kea visitor center to stand in the path of construction workers and to chant, pray and uphold Native Hawaiian traditions.
Police warned protesters they would face arrest if they blocked the road, as they first did on Monday, and protesters say at least 15 were detained as of 9:30 a.m.
Dozens of Hawaii County and state Department of Land and Natural Resources in a show of respect gave the protesters multiple warnings and followed the Hawaiian tradition of sharing breath, or Ha, as they were placed under arrest.
After the initial roadblock, protesters moved up the mountain to elevations exceeding 9,000 feet to continue making their stand.
DLNR police and construction crews followed after, making it past the first roadblock at about 9 a.m. The construction site is at 13,150 feet.
See Friday’s Tribune-Herald for more on this story.
