Y-12 protesters arraigned for federal trespassing; more charges could follow

The early-morning intrusion at Y-12 was an unprecedented security breach at the Oak Ridge plant, which enriched the uranium for the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II and continues to be a mainstay of the U.S. nuclear defense program.

They were apprehended inside the plant around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, interviewed later by members of the DOE Inspector General's Office, and then transported to the Blount County Jail.

Steven Wyatt, a spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Administration at Y-12, declined to discuss details of how the protests gained access to the plant's so-called "Protected Area," but he confirmed that the building targeted was the HEUMF — a fortresslike storehouse that was constructed a few years ago at a cost of $549 million and now houses the nation's principal supply of bomb-grade uranium.

Wyatt acknowledged that the intrusion into the plant's high-security core was unprecedented.

"There's never been a situation like this before to my knowledge," Wyatt said.

If unarmed protesters dressed in dark clothing could reach the plant's core during the cover of dark, it raised questions about the plant's security against more menacing intruders. MORE>>>knoxnews

(TLS- I guess if you hate nuclear stuff and want to go to prison more power to you. What interesting is how SENIOR CITIZENS one an 82 year old nun got to the inner core of that facility!? WTF!? so your telling me a few well trained foreign operatives likely could get to our stockpile of U-235 and walk out? and you guys say Alex Jones couldn't get into the Grove all those years ago HAHA! you give to much credit to the morons in govt. )