Anchorage marches in remembrance of Samoan teen

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Signs reading, “Justice for Easter” and “Stop Killing Us,” flooded downtown Anchorage streets, as dozens marched on Saturday in honor of Easter Leafa who was killed in an Anchorage Police officer-involved shooting last week.

“What we’re doing today as leaders is trying to bring peace to a very volatile situation,” the CEO of the Alaska Samoan Tribe, Samuel Fiu Unuteoa told Alaska News.com.

Fiu Unuteoa, who was one of the organizers of the event, reminded people there that Saturday’s march was not a protest. Instead, he said, it was a moment to come together for love and peace as their community navigates the situation. Part of that navigation process, Fiu Unuteoa said, is teaching the Anchorage community about the Samoan culture, especially when it comes to law enforcement.

“The Samoan way of life is built on honor and respect of the elders and the leaders the authority,” Fiu Unuteoa said. “All Samoan children are raised to respect authority, to respect their leaders but the cops are authority. When we call the cops, the kids are thinking, ‘oh, the cops are coming and they’re going to save us,’ but they’re not like the Samoan cops. Cops here are different.”

At the start of the event, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and APD Chief Sean Case spoke to march attendees. LaFrance, addressing the public, said she’s grieving with the community.

“You deserve information and support and you deserve to feel safe in Anchorage,” said LaFrance. “I am here to listen. I am here to learn.”

APD Chief Case also addressed the march on Saturday.

“Over the last week, I’ve got to know a lot more about the Samoan culture, and I just want to say how much I appreciate that everybody’s gathering here today to honor Easter Leafa and to start that healing process together as a community,” he said.