Navy: Demonstrators tried to enter bombing range

ROOSEVELT ROADS, Puerto Rico (CNN) -- The U.S. Navy said Friday that demonstrators had attempted twice overnight to breach the fence at its bombing range in an effort to disrupt operations on Vieques Island but had failed both times.

About 20 masked protesters cut the fence late Thursday evening at Camp Garcia, threw rocks and fired two flares at security personnel, according to Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Goode

She said the crowd dissipated after guards fired tear gas canisters.

However, more demonstrators arrived early Friday morning. They started fires outside the fence line and threw three Molotov cocktails at security forces, Goode said.

She said tear gas was fired a second time to disperse them.

Goode said that while police have said they would protect the range, no local police was deployed, and no officers took part in the action to break up the protesters.

The attacks were the largest in a series of protests against the bombing range, Goode said.

Over the past three to four days, she said, more than 500 feet of fence line had been cut, and demonstrators had tossed rocks at security personnel on the range.

"It's getting more and more violent," Goode said.

She said the demonstrators did not interrupt any operations, which continued as scheduled Friday.

Bombing exercises resumed this week on the range despite demands from protesters that they stop.

President George W. Bush has said that the Navy will stop using Vieques in May 2003. On July 29, Vieques residents -- in a nonbinding referendum -- voted for the United States to stop use of the range immediately.

The Navy has trained in Vieques for nearly 60 years. Opponents said the bombings cause ecological damage to the island and health problems for residents, but supporters dismiss those claims as unfounded and said the Navy's presence is good for the island's economy.