FARMINGTON — Two environmental activists took the stand Monday to defend their actions in a protest of the Kibby Mountain wind power project last year, and struggled to answer questions about whether they broke the law to get attention.

They testified on the first day of a trial in Franklin Superior Court that featured videos and recordings of the clash between protesters and law enforcement in Chain of Ponds Township.

On July 6, dozens blocked Route 27 to try to prevent a tractor-trailer from delivering a wind turbine blade to the site of the TransCanada project.

Two members of the Earth First! movement are charged with failure to disperse. Two other activists who were arrested during the protest took plea deals Monday for similar charges.

Willow A. Cordes-Eklund, 27, of Minneapolis was arrested after police had to cut a bicycle lock she used to chain herself by the neck to the tractor-trailer.

She testified Monday that she wanted to make a more serious statement than holding a sign along the roadside.

“It makes the sexiness of the moment longer,” she said.

Erik J. Gillard, 27, of Plainville, Vt., was arrested after he jumped onto the tractor-trailer by the driver’s door.

Gillard said he jumped onto the truck to try to calm the driver and protect protesters.

Justice Michaela Murphy suspended the trial Monday afternoon, with the attorneys’ closing statements scheduled for 10 a.m. today.

The activists stumbled often under questioning by Franklin County Assistant District Attorney James Andrews, who asked repeatedly whether their actions were planned.

Andrews cited the group’s website to argue that Earth First! activists learn to plan ways to get arrested, often speaking before a protest about who is willing to break the law.

“No compromise in defense of Mother Earth,” Andrews said, citing the group’s motto.

After giving conflicting answers about whether he planned his actions, Gillard admitted he had told other activists that he was willing to get arrested.

Gillard said someone who commits to civil disobedience “knows they are breaking the law.”

When asked if police made it clear that she would be arrested, Cordes-Eklund said, “It’s that choice we all make.”