College students, teachers, returning degree graduates and mothers and fathers, who have formed a group called United Citizens of American Samoa are still going ahead with their demonstration at the Fagatogo malae this morning, despite the Senate’s change of plans.
A spokesperson for the group Laurenthia Pouesi says the statements made by the Senate President yesterday referring to them as people who roam the streets with signs has strengthened their resolve to make their voices heard on the bill to increase the salaries of the Fono leaders and members.
Yesterday the Chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Laolagi Vaeao informed senators that the committee discussion of the salary bill that was scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled.
He said this is to allow the Senate Communications Committee to hold a hearing that had been set for this morning but also cancelled, on a request by the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority for a loan from the Retirement Fund.
Pouesi says the statements made by the Senate President that the Fono does not work according to the wishes of people who roam the streets and take their issues to the media, have made them more determined to speak out.
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United Citizens of American Samoa is holding their demonstration up till 8:30 am and will again protest at the Fagatogo malae on Thursday from 6 to 8:30 am.
