Protesters Block Construction of Giant Hawaii Telescope

[mahina]

13. I like your post best of all those here.

http://oiwi.tv

http://kahea.org/press-room/press-clips/mauna-kea2013sacred-summit-or-cash-cow-controversy-over-the-thirty-meter-telescope

http://www.civilbeat.com/2015/06/mauna-kea-telescope-protesters-arrested-as-tmt-resumes-construction/


http://oiwi.tv/maunakea/


It's not just a few fringe kooks. There's a huge upwelling of resistance and the telescopes just happen to be a perfect context to act on it. Where other protests are ignored, protests there are news. There's one road up, and it can be blocked easily. The leaders of this action are deeply connected to all the islands.

When I was in Hilo during Merrie Monarch hula festival, there were protests on every major intersection, and horns were blasting continuously in support from passersbye who ordinarily don't beep their horns. The protests are not just on the mountain, they are all over, including a vigil in front of the state capitol.

It's a mistake to misread the protesters as just a few anything. Even yesterday a friend, flying to the Big Island yesterday, noted that the plane was full of mauna protestors. Young people have adopted the image which I can't post here that has come to symbolize resistance for the mauna. People feel like it's a "this far and no further" kind of moment.

To the point that we'd be better protesting the hotels, it's not an 'or' thing. People have just frikken had it.

The last telescope was supposed to be the -last- telescope. This telescope would be so collossal, it would dominate the landscape. The impacts on the aquifers from the pounding the mountain would take to lay the immensely thick concrete foundation are a problem.

The whole colonial idea that our benefit should be received regardless of the cost to others is part of the problem. The racism inherent in the snide comments that have shown up all over the place on this matter, even here on DU, are kind of revolting.

I am not speaking for them. I don't even really agree with them, completely. Lacking any other DUer who sees what's going on here and cares to post here, I'm giving a quick summary.

I'm glad someone has been teaching nonviolent resistance, as the feelings run very deep on this matter here. So far, so good, thank goodness.