When Senator William Parkinson learned of Guam-CNMI statehood merger talks happening in Washington without Guam the at the table, he says it lit a fire.

“That just deeply bothered me! And so, if this conversation was going to be happening, I wanted to be yelling from the top of my lungs about what Guam wanted and how Guam needed to get a fair shake out of all of this,” said Sen. Parkinson. 

For him, fairness starts with educating our people.

He says the word ‘decolonization’ itself can spark fear and uncertainty, but really it’s about choice.

“It’s not just one option. It’s actually a series of options and we get a say in what those options are,” added Parkinson. 

The senator points to the prominent options of independence, free association, and statehood as equally valid paths.

That's where his town halls come in. Open forums in every village, designed to bring clarity to a conversation that often feels distant and complicated.

“I’m trying to put this out for people who know absolutely nothing about the topic so that they can start from a ground-up understanding of what this weighty question means, and ultimately have the conversation,” said Parkinson. 

And for the senator, timing matters. 

With global politics shifting quickly, Parkinson believes the chaos could open doors for Guam.

“This chaos is a potential source of providence for Guam in the sense that sometimes when the world is moving quickly, positive changes can move quickly as well,” he said. “Let’s just go out there, start having the conversation, and put the question of if we even want this on the ballot out there because I think – with how rapidly the word is changing – we might be able to get our way because Guam is in the world’s spotlight.”

“We’ve been called the “tip of the spear” whether we want it or not and if this is going to come with some of these huge downsides, I think we should use our position to take advantage and get the best possible deal for Guam,” the senator added. 

Meanwhile, closer to home, lawmakers are weighing whether to give over 200 acres of land to the Guam National Guard.

For Parkinson, it’s a reminder of why people must have a stronger voice in their island’s future. 

“I don’t think we can capture the full breadth of people’s opinions and feelings in a single public hearing. I want to make sure that there are as many opportunities for people to speak and be heard as there can be,” said Parkinson. 

Beyond legislation, he believes the most powerful conversations are the ones happening around kitchen tables.

“And so, until the question is put forth, I think that is going to significantly stall people’s capacity to learn more. That’s why I’m pushing so hard to have a vote in the near future because that puts a sense of urgency for people to learn about it,” added Parkinson. 

Parkinson says he knows where he stands, in favor of statehood. But he insists the ultimate decision must belong to the people of Guam.

“I’m hoping that my father can be the generation that helped start the Commission on Decolonization and with the help of fine people like Melvin Won Pat-Borja and all of the task forces, we could be the generation that puts an end to the Commission because we will no longer need it,” he said. 

The first town hall takes place tomorrow night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Yigo Senior Citizens Center.