Protesters on Guam call for the preservation of cultural relics. Photo: Independent Guåhan
The deadline for submissions on long range missile testing for Guam closes today.
A meeting led by the Missile Defence Agency requested by the Governor of Guam was to help Guamanians with their submissions and to clarify plans regarding the missile architecture the 360-degree defence system being built as a shield for the island.
Last month the meeting had a turnout of over 60 Guamanians, but some attendees told RNZ Pacific they left feeling even more confused and concerned about the upcoming tests which would require potentially hundreds of landowners having to evacuate their homes during testing for several days twice a year over the next decade.
The Missile Defence Agency say they provided a Chamarro translator and experts to answer questions in person, despite calls for the meeting to be held in an open forum format - similar to a talanoa.
The MDA say the meeting turnout was far less than expected as there happened to be Congressional debate happening at a nearby university.
RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon spoke with Prutehi Litekyan Save Ritidian Lead Organiser, Monaeka Flores who protested at the meeting and is an indigenous Chamarro descendant of homeowners impacted by the proposed testing
