GUILFORD — One important aspect has been overlooked in the reporting of the recent protest at Vermont Yankee. These protestors have willingly broken laws. Protesters have broken state laws and have harassed personnel at their place of work. Those same personnel protect the public from any threat against the plant. Therefore, these protesters are, by definition, posing a threat to the public.
Trespassing onto nuclear power plant property is a serious crime. Unsurprisingly, the security forces at Vermont Yankee responded to these threats professionally. In fact, the incidents demonstrate the competence of the security forces at Vermont Yankee as well as the unlawfulness and recklessness of the protesters. Anyone familiar with the grounds at Vermont Yankee knows that the protesters never got within 100 yards of the guard towers, high-security fences, etc. All of their activity occurred at the lot's distant perimeter, since the security forces did not allow them to move farther.
Every citizen has the right to voice opinions and concerns, but in doing so, acts of protest should be carefully executed in a manner such that laws are not broken and citizens are not threatened. Threats alone can be considered crimes. Crimes are enacted by criminals who shall be punished accordingly, regardless of the reasons for the crime.
Additionally, respect ought to be shown to the personnel who place themselves in harm's way to protect the public and to the employees of a company that provides much good to the community.