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The department wouldn’t comment on how it plans to move the project along if protestors don’t budge in a press conference it held Tuesday, reports the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The TMT Observation Collaboratory, which includes the groups behind the project like the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, told Earther in an emailed statement Tuesday, “We hope the protests remain peaceful and lawful as work begins.”

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Actual construction wasn’t slated to start Monday. All developers had planned for Monday was to add concrete barriers along the roadway to ensure the safety of protestors from road vehicles, which the state did manage to do. Construction is, however, supposed to begin later this week.

But opponents were clear from the beginning that they wouldn’t stand by and let it happen. If the last few days are any indicator, they weren’t playing.

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Update July 18, 2019, 9 a.m. ET: After a peaceful first day, day two of protests resulted in 33 arrests Wednesday after project opponents refused to move off the road, reports CNN. Those arrested were immediately released, but this is likely just the beginning of law enforcement taking action against those doing all they can to stop the telescope’s construction.

Governor Ige signed an emergency proclamation Wednesday that “gives law enforcement increased flexibility and authority to close more areas and restrict access on Mauna Kea,” per the governor’s statement.