Fono passes resolution affirming self-determination for American Samoa

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Fono on August 12, 2021, unanimously passed a Resolution commending the recent 10th Circuit Court ruling which protects American Samoa’s cultural priorities and the Fa’aSamoa (Samoan way) — strongly affirming the Fono’s unified commitment to self-determination.

A press release issued by the legislative body says, “Specifically, the Resolution recognizes the desire of the people of American Samoa to bring to an end the assault on our self-determination.

The Fono’s Resolution includes 30 foundational statements of fact in support of urging the following seven proactive steps forward at this time:

•       EXPRESSES concern that rule of law and informed democratic self-determination in American Samoa are undermined by disinformation narratives advanced by special interest lobbyists and lawyers for plaintiffs in Fitisemanu v. United States;

•       CALLS for special interest lobbyists and lawyers for plaintiffs in the Fitisemanu case to renounce misrepresentation that “Equally American” and any affiliate thereof speaks for or represents the people of American Samoa as a body politic established under US. and territorial law; 

•       CALLS for “Equally American” and its affiliates to cease disingenuously distorting in the Federal courts and in national media the history and meaning of Federal jurisprudence and statutory law defining the status and rights of Americans born in the territories, so that inequality and inequities inherent in the less than fully self-governing status of territories can be addressed through informed democratic self-determination on legally valid political status options, according to the diverse aspirations of the people in each territory;

•       REQUESTS the plaintiffs in Fitisemanu to reconsider and elect to proceed no further in efforts to gain a Federal court decision that threatens American Samoa’s right to self-determination, by imposing U.S. citizenship as currently conferred under the 14th Amendment in the States on persons born and living in American Samoa without consent of the governed;

•       URGES all intervenors and amicus curiae on behalf of the plaintiffs in Fitisemanu to withdraw their support obtained through misinformation for the efforts to impose U.S. citizenship on our people without our consent through judicial fiat in the Fitisemanu case;

•       INVITES those representing special interests supporting the lawyers in Fitisemanu to visit American Samoa to meet with our elected and traditional leaders, visit with the people in our villages, and if convinced the people want U.S. citizenship to be conferred by the U.S. Congress, work within the existing governmental processes to hold a referendum on the subject; and

•      SUPPORTS the legislation offered by our duly elected Member of Congress to facilitate on an individual, voluntary basis the reclassification of U.S. nationals wishing to become U.S. citizens.