200 Protesters Removed From A-Test Site; Total Rises to 1,400

MERCURY, Nev. — Authorities arrested about 200 protesters Monday for trying to block trucks and buses from entering the nuclear weapons test center here.

The action raised the total number of arrests here to a record 1,400 since a 10-day series of demonstrations began Saturday, authorities said.

Meanwhile, only about 500 people remained of the 3,000 who had gathered at a nearby campsite four days ago to mark the start of the protests organized by American Peace Test, a national anti-nuclear group.

The demonstrators were seeking to block delivery trucks and buses carrying workers to the Nevada Test Site, about 65 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

In an effort to drain the group’s resources, Nye County sheriff’s officials were routinely transporting many of those arrested to the community of Tonopah, about 150 miles north of here, where they were released without being charged. Return transportation was left to their supporters.

“We feel this is very inconvenient and costly for them,” test site Director Vern Witherill said. “It buys us time that we don’t have to fool with them.”

Dozens of others caught wandering inside the huge restricted area around the test site, however, were expected to be formally charged with trespassing and could be fined as much as $465 and jailed for as long as six months, Witherill said.

“There has been more rough handling of our people than in times past,” complained activist Jessie Cocks as she watched authorities drag protesters out of the path of oncoming vehicles shortly after daybreak Monday. “That is discouraging.”

“It is like playing chess--they make a move and we make a move,” said Nye County sheriff’s Capt. Jim Merlino. “They are afforded the chance to walk. If they don’t walk, well, there is no easy way to drag somebody.”

The prolonged protest was expected to wind up next Sunday with a mass demonstration near the main entrance of the test site.