Activist group requests audience with governor ahead of Friday protest

Although the organizations are hosting a protest this Friday, Prutehi Litekyan has been waiting for a chance to meet with the governor. According to Maria Hernandez, they've been waiting for two years.

"As you guys have covered in 2018, when Magua Village was destroyed, that was kind of under the nose of Guam Preservation Trust and the community had no idea that this had happened and when 25 groups had met with the governor in response to - that her response the way that she kind of looking at the situation she admitted at the table that our political status she can't really do anything," she explained. "We did request a follow-up meeting but she did not respond to us. I'm very disappointed out leaders are silent at this time. I know that COVID is definitely a priority at this time but we can't just lie down and let our sites and our history and identity all of these are tied to our identity and we've been colonized for 300 years and we have lost so much information about our past."

Before the 2018 election, Prutehi Litekyan endorsed the Lou Leon Guerrero-Josh Tenorio team, as well as now-senators Kelly Marsh Taitano and Sabina Perez.

On Friday, representatives from various community organizations, including Prutehi Litekyan are taking direct action after learning of the recent clearing of three cultural sites, one of which is about 12 football fields large, eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as part of construction activities for the proposed marine base in Northern Guam. 

"Among the cultural resources that were cleared include two earth ovens complexes, three quarries, three lusong, 12 latte stone features that date back to the latte period, Hernandez said. "The comment period for this project which ends on July 15 comes after these highly significant sights have already been cleared." 

They're also raising questions on where the historical artifacts are being housed by the Department of Defense. They calling on State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick Lujan to conduct serious oversight on the Department of Defense's future plans, including impacts on the main water source. Kat Perez with Manhoben Para Guåhan is joining the call.

"They are still trying to erase us but here we are. It will never happen," she said. "We are the future stewards, teachers, leaders, and voters. We are the future. The youth of Guam is calling to stop the destruction." 

A peaceful protest will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday at NCS outside the U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station.