(Press release) — Independent Guåhan invites the public to attend its third monthly General Assembly on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Chamorro Village main pavilion in Hagåtña. This month’s meeting will focus on how an Independent Guåhan will be able to negotiate a transition period with the United States, through which the island can decrease its dependency on the U.S. and begin to provide for itself as an independent nation.
Members of the community regularly ask if independence were chosen as Guam’s future political status, would the U.S. be forced to leave the island immediately, potentially causing economic disaster. As a signatory to the United Nations charter, the United States holds a “sacred trust” to support its colonies on their path to independence. Part of this sacred trust is the negotiation of a transition period, during which the colonizing country will slowly reduce its programs in the colony, while also providing aid to help the new nation develop its own government programs and economic engines. Independent Guåhan members will share research addressing this important community concern at tomorrow’s General Assembly.
Independent Guåhan will also honor the accomplishments of the late Senator Vicente “ben” Pangelinan, who, during his time in the Guam Legislature was a strong advocate for Chamorro rights, self-governance . As a local leader, Sen. Pangelinan was tireless in his efforts to protect the rights, lands and heritage of the Chamorro people. Independent Guåhan’s Finance Committee co-chair, Selina Onedera-Salas will share his legacy, including how he populated the Decolonization Registry after years of Government of Guam inaction.
For more information, please contact Independent Guåhan chairperson Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua at (671) 988-7106, email independentguahan@gmail.com, or visitwww.independentguahan.com.