A local activist group responds to the Guam Police Department’s statements that protesters "aggressively approached the stage" during a recent congressional hearing held on the island. GPD saying the group was allowed to return so long as they followed the rules of the public hearing.

But those same protesters disagree with the action taken by local authorities that day, saying officers forced them out of the ballroom and off the property - all while the governors of Guam and the CNMI and the Guam delegate watched.

Noah Lee Quinata Austin stood before regional leaders and a congressional delegation inside the Hilton Guam Resort ballroom last Thursday. He stood there calmly speaking to the panel, making no verbal threats or physical gestures that he was there to cause harm.

That's when suddenly a Guam Police officer assigned to the governor's executive security detail grabs Austin by the shoulders, and walks him out of the building. The congressional hearing was a public forum.

He said, "I was livid. I was furious. Because this is how they're treating the citizens here, our own police? And I again, I didn't threaten no threats. I did not lunge, you know, nothing. Nothing. Until I was getting pushed out the door by the three and then escalated because of them. They're the one pushing me out with their hand on my throat. They're the ones slam me to the wall, the door."

The video speaks for itself. Austin was one of the members of Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian who showed up to the event with plans to be heard by elected officials. He was just the first of a handful more of protesters that attended the Committee for Natural Resources congressional hearing.

Each one deciding to walk up to the stage with signs before being also being taken out of the room. The group also sharing video showing Austin being shoved out the hotel doors by police. One officer was even seen reaching for his waistband.

After public outcry over the brief interactions, Guam Police issued a statement, writing, “Protesters aggressively approached the stage area, prompting a cautious response from our officers. We would like to emphasize that our mission is to protect all individuals involved and prevent any disruptions during official hearings.”

Police adding protesters were immediately removed before being told they could only return if they followed the rules and did not disrupt the hearing.

However, Monaeka Flores, the group’s core member and organizer tells KUAM that GPD's response is false, stating they were just told to leave the premises, alleging that violence was used. "Granted, we got there and there was then a hotel policy sign saying that no signs were allowed and we did anticipate that we might be removed or asked to leave, but we did not anticipate that we would be treated so horribly. We don't think that was justified at all," she said.

"We approached peacefully and calmly and respectfully," Flores continued. "We were removed forcefully, with excessive force with physical injury, with mental injury. And it's just completely unacceptable. We actually deserve an apology, a formal apology from all of those officers."

The hearing was titled "Peace Through Strength: The Strategic Importance of the Pacific Islands to U.S.-Led Global Security". It was scheduled to examine the importance of the United States territories and the Freely Associated States to the United States’ ability to counter the people’s Republic of China’s malign influence, and maintain our nation’s strategic interests in the region.

"And if this is a committee that's really focusing on natural resources, why was none of that conversation available? Either from the panelists or from the committee members? Why was it just an agenda to talk about security issues," she said.

Guam Del. James Moylan’s office confirms they welcomed the protesters, adding a certain level of decorum and respect had to be maintained in the room.

"We as concerned citizens, we have a right to protest," said Flores. "You know, this is civil disobedience. This is our right. This is how we see changes happen in our society. We can't just keep accepting the status quo, which is that this destruction and desecration will continue to happen, the contamination of our environment will continue to happen, we will be put in harm's way by being made a target for war. And that we will be on the frontlines for another war."

The congressman's office also emphasizing the visiting members of Congress "traveled all this way to show their support for our island community and these relationships will be key to addressing the issues that are of importance to our island.”

Delegate Moylan is planning to bring more members of congress to Guam throughout the year to learn about what Guam needs and how they can support the community on a federal level.