LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — People were surprised that even after learning that the initial viral online post about storming Area 51 to “see them aliens” was meant to be a joke, people are willing to risk going onto heavily secure government land.
The arrest of two men trespassing on federal land near Area 51 comes just a week before a planned festival in the area. The event originally started as an online call to storm the military base.
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In the tiny town of Rachel, Nevada preparations are underway for next weekend. That’s when thousands of people are expecting to attend a festival and camp out for parties.
"It is crazy you can't even go on base to go past the warning signs it's ridiculous,” said Douglas Benedetti. “They're going to eventually shoot you if you get to that point."
Benedetti said he is looking forward to next weekend and said it will be a lot of fun if people just stay away from Area 51 and the Nevada National Security Site.
"The people who don’t go on the base they’re going to have a good time for the festival and stuff like that," he said. "Those who try and go on the base aren’t going to have as great of time once they get there."
