Back in 2009, Hawaii won the bid to host this year’s International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly. Landing this prestigious global conference, which will involve over 2,500 astronomers from 75 countries, was a big coup for the state.
The meetings are scheduled to take place August 3-14 at the Hawaii Convention Center.
Now, of course, the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope project on Mauna Kea have introduced a new dynamic with the likelihood of protests at the conference itself.
In a letter sent to neighboring properties this week, convention center general manager Teri Orton, said security plans are now underway involving the convention center and law enforcement agencies.
“In preparation, HCC’s security team is working closely with the IAU, the Honolulu Police Department, and the State Sheriff Division to implement a comprehensive plan, if needed, which protects the safety of all IAU attendees and any potential demonstrators. We encourage you to assess your security needs and procedures for your business.”
The letter advises that questions should be addressed to the convention center’s security and guest services manager, Wayne Goodwin.
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“. . .which protests the safety of all IAU attendees . . . .”
Was that your Freudian slip or Orton’s?
Ooops!
TMT opponents have some legitimate grievances.
They can turn this into a productive opportunity or a sad fiasco.
And whatever the reaction is, how will the media spin it?
bad link
http://ilind.net/misc%20/2015/HCC-Advisory-IAU.pdf
Don’t you think the Hawaiians are dangerous myth is getting old? Sounds like 1893 with the Committee of Safety who used that excuse to overthrow the Hawaiian government.
This article scares us with the headline, “Convention Center Preparing Security Plan for Possible Protests…”. It goes on “HCC’s security team is working closely with the IAU, the Honolulu Police Department, and the State Sheriff Division”.
In reality, those opposed to TMT on Maunakea have made a central commitment to nonviolence and Kapu Aloha. The leaders are very bright college graduates and teachers and have studied other nonviolent civil disobedient leaders such as Ghandi and Dr. Martin Luther King.
Remember the fake “gunshot” headlines that turned out to be just a puka that was blamed on the protectors? Dangerous??
How about the two protectors that were intentionally hit by security vehicles going at high rates of speed? Dangerous??
How about the protectors, many of whom were kupuna, women and keiki giving lei and honi to the police? Dangerous???
How bout the mentally ill woman who rammed the sheriff who blocked the road and the protectors were blamed. Are the protectors dangerous for her actions?
How about the feces smeared in a bathroom? How can one blame the protectors without a shred of evidence?
Other headlines trumpeted the danger of protectors because of a tiny amount of invasive ants found near their camp? Dangerous?
REST EASY, THERE IS NO DANGER! There are no weapons and no need to call the National Guard to go to battle against our own people. When Hawaiians gather its not dangerous, especially when it is a movement committed to nonviolence and aloha.
Not Scared makes some good points but ignores some simple truths.
Anticipated protests create a duty to prepare for potential incidents.
Some TMT protesters have publicly made “over my dead body” -type vows since the very beginning. Though it’s easy to dismiss those statements as hyperbolic public theater, it would be foolish to not take reasonable security precautions for the upcoming conference, especially in light of all that has since occurred.
Protesters did in fact create substantial dangers to public safety (and desecrate sacred Mauna Kea) by littering and blocking the sole access road with huge and heavy boulders.
Protest leaders claimed after the fact to have not sanctioned the boulder imbroglio, but they were obviously unable to prevent it or stop it once it began. That clearly demonstrates what most people already know: emotional protests can quickly get out of control despite any best intentions. And since organizers can’t guarantee public safety, others are obligated to prepare accordingly.
The boulder-blocking adventure was a tactical success but a strategic blunder. It prevented TMT trucks and crews from proceeding up the mountain, at least in the short term. But it seriously eroded public sympathy for the protesters while clearly demonstrating protest leaders’ inability to control their followers. And it provided the State with a sound basis for imposing additional access restrictions.
I predict more aloha shirts than were seen at APEC.
Dear “Not Scared”,
Why are you throwing such a childish fit? Your emotional rants are concerning; Ian’s headline isn’t.
What are you trying to accomplish on this web site, other than letting off teenage steam?
“How about the feces smeared in a bathroom? How can one blame the protectors without a shred of evidence?”
“REST EASY, THERE IS NO DANGER! There are no weapons and no need to call the National Guard to go to battle against our own people. When Hawaiians gather its not dangerous, especially when it is a movement committed to nonviolence and aloha.”
Focusing the headline on the boogeyman distraction of a “safety threat” instead of hearing the legitimate issues regarding Maunakea is tabloid but doesn’t get us anywhere.
Look. This one was simple. I received this email from the Convention Center. It seemed like it the stated preparations would be of interest to a broader audience. So I wrote a post quoting from and linking to the letter. End of my contribution. Not every post has to editorialize beyond this basic reporting function.
Completely agree with “Anticipated protests create a duty to prepare for potential incidents.”
“…emotional protests can quickly get out of control despite any best intentions. And since organizers can’t guarantee public safety, others are obligated to prepare accordingly.”
Two conflicting statements about the protests stand out for me. One is that the *Mauna Kea protest movement* is organic or leaderless. Another is that the leaders practice non-violent actions.
It sounds reasonable to plan and expect some (perhaps those who consider themselves to be leaders of a leaderless cause?) to remain non-violent but still be vigilant in the event that protests attracts others who have their own separate agenda and will follow their own tactics.
The convention site was awarded in 2009. TMT was warned of huge problems ahead concerning the Mauna Kea site and the Hawaiians in 2007. Now they are whining to Mr. Turncoat for ground support.