Protesters reportedly interrupted the groundbreaking ceremony of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea, an island in Hawaii, on Tuesday. Participants reportedly opposed the construction, as it will be built on top of sacred ground.
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a segmented, mirrored telescope much larger than any other existing telescopes. It is expected to be the most advanced and powerful optical telescope on Earth. It will enable astronomers to study the Solar System and stars in the Milky Way galaxy and nearby galaxies. Astronomers chose Mauna Kea as the best place to mount a telescope and observe the night sky.
A group of vehicles carrying dignitaries scheduled to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the telescope was blocked by protesters along the way. But Caltech spokeswoman Judy Asbury clarified that some of the attendees were able to reach the site in time for the ceremony. Videos circulating on the Internet showed the protesters chanting and holding signs that read, "Aloha Aina," which means "love of the land" in Hawaiian, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The project specialists have no plans of stopping the construction, as the $1.4 billion project started more than 10 years ago.
"The groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), hindered by a small group of protesters for a brief time, took place," Caltech officials said. "And all the partners of the Thirty Meter Telescope International Organization (TIO) are looking forward to proceeding with the production of TMT as planned."
Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, the group of the protesters, clarified that they did not intentionally block people from attending the event; they were merely conducting prayer ceremonies on the road. She passed the blame to the police instead.
"They laid down on the road right there. That's what stopped the caravan," Kealoha Pisciotta, one of the protesters, told the Associated Press. "They were reacting to the police blocking the road.
"That wasn't anyone's goal. The organizers were very clear that we weren't trying to do that."
A police spokeswoman wasn't available for comment.
