Guam says "No Deal!" to the U.S. Military Buildup

Melvin Won Pat-Borja, representing the community organization "We Are Guahan" presents his official testimony against the U.S. Military's plans to transfer thousands of marines from Okinawa to Guam. The Department of Defense has published a draft of the Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) detailing their plans. The DEIS is about 11,000 pages long, and the public only has until February 17, 2010 to submit comments on the document.

"We Are Guahan" is a group of community members dedicated to reading and disseminating information in the DEIS to the public, including details of the devastating effects of the military buildup on the island's culture, water sources, coral reefs and marine habitats, family lands, historical and archeological sites, and social environment. Furthermore, despite common belief that the buildup will benefit Guam's economy, the DEIS reveals that majority of new jobs and contracts will be given to off-island workers and companies.

Most importantly, the U.S. military's decision is a blatant violation of human rights for Guam's residents, who have not been allowed to participate in any aspect of the buildup plans. "We Are Guahan" encourages everyone, in and outside of Guam, to stay informed about the military buildup! Read the EIS and make your voice heard! You can submit comments online, by mail, or in person at public hearings.

For more information, please visit www.WeAreGuahan.com.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• poetry
• spoken word
• slam poetry
• youth speaks
• sinangan-ta
• eis deis
• melvin won pat-borja

[thlegendishere2009]

in the late 1600 there was only 200 pure blood charromo so the rest you living to can shove ya not pure blood the only reason guam is not in japan is because US MILITARY SO SHUT UP AND SAY THANK YOU

[DarkprinX2500]

haha the japanese didn't want the yankee colonialists in their country .. so now the US government want to move them to Guam.. ..lol stupid yanks

[megatroll]

Fantastic.

As long as there are free people left on this planet, they will fight the American empire!

[jpego1775]

Ur an idiot Lmao... wrong facts, an lack of knowledge masked by emotion . Good intitiave bad judgement wrong facts

[jpego1775]

Idiot

[Thephthan]

Let's hope it doesn't tip over. 

[Thephthan]

The US Military ships in their own supplies. They will not be dependent on Guam's resources and never have. Maybe we should remove all military and see what happens to your economy.

[Thephthan]

@epaulino1000 The military does not not look to Guam for its lively hood. That is why Bid Navy and Anderson Air Force Base are there. We ship in our own supplies.

[Thephthan]

He is a legend in his own mind, He doesn't remember the tremendous amount of build up of Air Force and Navy bases during the Vietnam war, This jerk wasn't even born then. He doesn't remember the over crowded conditions back then. If this is the type of person you have for teachers, I am sorry for you. What if they removed the Air Force and Naval bases from your precious rock? Do you then think it will not cause a problem with your little economy? Or have you thought that far.

[671JDMswag]

Chamorros stand up!Guam is my home my island and will always be.I love being am American but I love being Chamorru that much more!We need need to give our voices that God has given us and defend our island,our home,our life.I may not be on Guam but forever will it be in my heart,its what makes me CHAMORRU!671 never anything else.