Guam says “No Deal!” to the U.S. Military Buildup
May 232010
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.
Duration : 0:4:46
[youtube YzmXU6u5CTE]
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
poetic
poetic
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
no to military …
no to military buildup!
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
So josh, there is …
So josh, there is only two ways to go. Either you stay on the Island of Guam and respect the locals’ culture, tradition, beliefs, opinions, and decisions or pack your belongings and buy yourself a one-way ticket back to the states. Esta despues Hudas!
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Josh, as far as …
Josh, as far as unlawful activities in Guam and how it disgusts you . . . I can testify and every other Chamorro residing across the U.S.A. and around the world that unlawful acts at their perspective state is10x more disgusting than in Guam
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Josh, serving your …
Josh, serving your country is the honorable thing to do. Only I don’t know if you were dishonorably discharged.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Obviously josh …
Obviously josh either you are missing the point or just being ignorant. What the locals are saying is enough with the fed dictating what should and should not occur in Guam like they always have in the past and start recognizing and give Guam a full voice on both state and federal level so they can be heard.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
You can play the …
You can play the victim or be the change that you wish to be. Was in the military, been there. There are so many illicit things that go on in Guam and its disgusting.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Your right Melvin! …
Your right Melvin! tell the fed to leave Guam alone and confess all their injustices to the locals, and make a deal with the Afghanistan Government instead for the military relocation and hopefully they’ll catch Osama Binladen.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
@joshtaylor7054
We …
@joshtaylor7054
We do pay taxes.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
one of the reasons …
one of the reasons many people have raised as to why we don’t pay federal tax on Guam is because the federal government won’t support “taxation without representation” &really isn’t trying to give us any votes in congress or the electoral college. I’m not saying this is the sole reason, or even a legitimate one, but it’s a point many people have made.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
what about FICA …
what about FICA josh? is that not a federal tax? just because we don’t’ pay a state tax, doesn’t mean we don’t PAY TAXES!!! Really, who are you anyway and why does your ear have anything to do with this? Are you the United States of America? Ignorance is bliss!
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Josh, forgive me …
Josh, forgive me because i’m going to offend you! First of all, you don’t know me, but if you did, i would have put a fist in your face! Taxes? what about blood? We fight for the same freedoms, we have men and women dying for that country! taxes? what about the blood? doesn’t that count more than money? wtf are you anyway? Right winged conservative? American? well I’m just as american as you! You should shut your trap before trying to voice an opinion that bears no meaning!
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
When the people of …
When the people of guam start paying taxes, we will start listening.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Not only a great, …
Not only a great, great teacher, but an activist consistently fighting for the betterment of the community. Awesome work Borja! I totally want to see the rest of your speeches at the other hearings. Along with Rob and Gel’s testimonies. That’s the youth speaking up.
Peace*
-Reinhardooo
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
chills…
chills…
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
truth: more …
truth: more american than america but the second classcitizen of this country. we are the Hitites of the modern day Roman Empire.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
The truth shall set …
The truth shall set us free. Thank you for your voice Melvin.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Thank you for …
Thank you for stating the truth!
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Right on!
Right on!