MARQUETTE COUNTY -- Kennecott Minerals claims that it has all the permits it needs to go ahead with its Eagle Mine Project, and it says it can do it safely.  But a group of protestors says, not so fast.

Thursday, at the site of the mine, these demonstrators gathered together in peaceful protest, on location.  They're on a mission to save the wild U.P.

"We represent a large group across the U.P. and the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, where the threat of a sulfide mining district is looming.  Not just in our state, Minnesota also.  Wisconsin's already shut down sulfide mining, thank goodness.  We hope to follow," says Kristi Mills, Director of Save the Wild U.P.

Her organization was joined by members of the community, everyone from church pastors to scientists, all with a common opinion:  not here, not now.

"I'm thinking today is the real Tea Party.  It's folks gathered together in a common voice of conscience," says Jon Magnuson, who's a Lutheran Church Pastor, works for the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute and describes himself as a concerned citizen.

The group sang "This land is your land, this land is my land" and shared stories in their peaceful protest.  They recognize that the cards may be stacked against them, but they're not giving up.

"Our board has decided that this is not anything that we need to take to the Nth degree, certainly.  And we are a peaceful people.  We are reasonable and certainly want justice in all of this," Mills added.

Their main concern is pollution, both in the air and in the water.  But it goes beyond that.  It's a matter of saving the wild U.P.

"The removal of trees and degradation of the wildlife population in the area.  There is just such a rich diversity of species in a location like this, and we're really concerned that that's going to be jeopardized," says concerned citizen, Amy Conover.

The group vows to remain peaceful, but says that they'll fight the project to the very end.