A group of international astrophysicists and astronomers are speaking out against what they call the “criminalization” of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and their allies protesting the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on the summit Mauna Kea on Hawaii’s “big island.”
In an
Protesters insist they won’t back down and are calling on Hawaii Governor David Ige to rescind an emergency proclamation he issued Wednesday that broadens the state’s power to restrict access to Maunakea and clear the way for construction crews.
The proclamation followed the arrest of a group of more than 30 activists who refused to move from the site Wednesday.
‘Reserved for the gods’
In February, Lanakila Mangauil, activist and director of the