Police have arrested dozens of elderly protesters in a crowd of thousands blocking a road to the highest mountain in Hawaii, an ongoing effort to halt the construction of a giant telescope on land considered sacred by natives.

About 30 protesters, some in wheelchairs or using canes, were arrested in a crowd of over 2,000 blocking the road to the summit of Mauna Kea, where construction of a high-tech astronomical observatory has polarized locals. The $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope would be the largest visible light telescope in the world, but Native Hawaiians and their supporters are concerned that the construction will damage and desecrate the mountain, which the indigenous community holds sacred.

These kūpuna were arrested several hours ago, now back on the mauna serenading this line of kiaʻi mana wahine. Unprecedented show of Indigenous resistance on Mauna Kea!! #puuhonuaopuuhuluhulu#AoleTMT#ProtectMaunaKea#KuKiaiMauna#TMTShutDownpic.twitter.com/yEJdkENTcK — iokepa casumbal-salazar (@iokepakepa) July 17, 2019

“This is about our right to exist,” Kaho’okahi Kanuha, one of the leaders of the protest, told reporters. “We fight and resist and we stand, or we disappear forever.”

There seems to be a huge protest today July 15 on Maunakea, island of Hawaii pic.twitter.com/PClQh75uM0 — Mynah berd (@mynah_berd) July 15, 2019

The project’s construction permits have been approved and re-approved amid a lengthy legal battle, and construction was due to start this week. Authorities closed the road to Mauna Kea’s summit on Monday to allow construction equipment up the mountain, and protesters gathered to form their own roadblocks – forcing astronomers to halt their work with the 13 existing telescopes on the mountain. Mauna Kea is highly sought after by astronomers because of its height, the lack of pollution, and the clear weather.

Also on rt.com First black hole to be photographed gets Hawaiian name

The elders taken away by police were “prepared to be arrested,” according to protest leader Kealoha Pisciotta, though it was not yet known what charges, if any, would be filed against them.

Like this story? Share it with a friend!