A Senate concurrent resolution introduced in the Senate today expresses the support of the Fono on behalf of itself and the people of American Samoa of the Federal Court of Appeals’ ruling on the citizenship case.
The resolution, according to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, was recommended by Congresswoman Aumua Amata to show support of the government and people of American Samoa for the Court of Appeals’ reversal of a lower court ruling on the Fitisemanu vs United States case.
According to the resolution the Deed of Cession in effect from April 17, 1900 provides that the Government of the United States of America “shall respect and protect the individual rights of all people dwelling in Tutuila to their lands and other property…”
The legislature unanimously expresses concern thst rule of law and informed democratic self determination in American Samoa are “undermined by special interest lobbyists and lawyers for plaintiffs” in the Fitisemanu case.
The measure calls on the group known as “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 territories.”
It also calls on plaintiffs in the Fitisemanu case “to reconsider and stop any further efforts to gain a federal court decision that threatens American Samoa’s right to self determination by imposing US citizenship on persons born and living in American Samoa without their consent.”
