The Jam 4 Mauna Kea, attracts hundreds of pahu drums, Actors, Presidential candidates and Reggie artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, in solidarity with the people of Hawaii.
(Hawaiʻi) – The TMT project calculated to cost around 1.4 billion dollars and predicted to be the largest telescope in the Northern Hemisphere , has suffered setbacks since it was commissioned in 2014 to be built on the scared top of the Mauna Kea mountain. This is were The sacred and the scientific clash as Court proceedings disrupted an attempt to restart construction on site as locals questioned the legitimacy of the telescope’s building permit. Protesters mainly the locals claimed that Mount Mauna Kea is sacred – Among other things, they have brought up the issue of land rights and ownership.
As recent as July 2019 the State Government reissued the permit for construction to begin; Protesters have halted the planned so called Thirty Meters Telescope TMT construction on Mount Mauna Kea again. The mountain known to be the highest point on earth is 4000+ meters (13803 ft) high and is located in Hawaii.
Several attempts were made by the Government to move the protesters away from the site using the military and police but this only increased awareness through social media and attracted people from all over the world including Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Momoa from Aqua man and most recently Damian Gong Marley Jr.
Among the songs he performed included ‘Get up stand up’ one of his father’s famous songs – this seem appropriate for the situation facing the Hawaiian tribe and their scared mountain Mauna Kea. Damian Marley also gave a speech midway through his performance – Encouraging the protesters not to give and expressing how proud and connected he felt to mouna kea and its people. He also stressed how this reminded him of the struggle over pinnacle and cockpit mountains back in Jamaica. The struggle between indigenous rights versus the notion of progress.
Hawaii is a very special place in my heart, You know its one of the first places that every really embraced my music because that we’re hear for today is a very important one you know to protect indigenous land and indigenous culture. We’re familiar with this type of struggle, The world comes up to trying to stand up for our heritage and our culture and traditions and history – You know so today I’m honored to be here. But I’m more the music do the talking yeah
#ProtectMaunaKea #CockpitCountry #DamianMarley