FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION
Hagatna, Guam
February 19, 2009
Members of Nasion Chamoru gathered outside the Government House in Tutuhan, also known as Agana Heights to demonstrate the right of assembly and the freedom of speech, greeting members of the Congressional Delegation (CODEL) on Monday, February 16, 2009 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The peaceful demonstration and protest was necessary because of the agenda to relocate 8,000 U.S. Marines and their dependents as well as the additional 40,000 service members in all other branches of the U.S. Military. While Secretary of State, Madame Hillary Clinton signed the Guam International Treaty, members of Congress gathered at the Governor’s House for a reception paid for by Guam Tax payer dollars. Large member’s of Guam’s elite were invited for attendance, including members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce and other off island corporate executives who never file taxes on Guam.
Members of the CODEL team purposely evaded elected officials, including members of the Guam Legislature. Instead, members of CODEL chose to meet with the Guam Chamber of Commerce and other off island corporate executives. The lack of respect given to the people of Guam and their elected officials causes worry amongst grassroots organizations such as Nasion.
After leaving Guam, Wednesday February 18, 2009, members of the CODEL team emphasized how important their “field trip” to Guam was and how this military expansion will happen whether we like it or not. In order to address the long standing racist policy against Oceanic peoples, namely the Chamoru people, and the People of Guam, social action, such as peaceful demonstrations, must take place to obtain attention to Guam’s plight. Peaceful Demonstrations are a fabric to American Democracy.
Members of Nasion protested with signs and with cultural music, but most of all, Nasion protested based on love, devotion and respect for our island, for elected officials, and with a sense of clarity of purpose that we are a political force that must be reckoned with on our island homeland. Although some proponents against Nasion Chamoru might say that the military build up is a good thing because of economics, it also means the annihilation to the inalieanable right to self-determination for the Chamoru people who have lived on these islands for more than 4,000 years. History tells of a people who have been decimated due to the influx of Westernization since the 16th century. People who have made Guam their home are also invited to join Nasion because Chamorus have always been forced to welcome our guests and we are a welcoming people. However, it is time that everyone on Guam stand with the Chamoru people to do what is right once and for all.
In the coming months, Nasion Chamoru plans to continue its freedom to demonstrate on our island community until the wrongs of the past are corrected, teaching once again the next generation to never be afraid to stand up for your beliefs. Fanoghe Chamoru!
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si Debbie Quinata
I Nasion Chamoru
P.O. Box 6132
Merizo, Guam 96916
(671) 828-2957
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