The Beyond the Territory Line (BTTL) Movement, a MAXXON Corporation initiative, officially launches today, dedicated to securing full U.S. citizenship rights for American Samoan U.S. Nationals.
A press release says, “For over a century, individuals born in American Samoa have been designated as U.S. Nationals, not U.S. Citizens. This unique and unjust legal status denies them fundamental rights, including full participation in the democratic process. This disparity impacts their ability to vote in federal elections, hold federal office, and serve on juries. It also creates challenges in maintaining their unique cultural practices, especially when residing on the U.S. mainland.”
Maddy Unutoa, CEO of Maxxon Corporation says, “For too long, American Samoans have been denied the full promise of American equality.” She continues, “As we approach the 125th anniversary of American Samoa becoming a U.S. territory on April 17, 2025, the BTTL Movement represents a renewed commitment to justice. We are launching this movement and these public meetings to build a strong foundation for change, and [to] invite everyone to join us in this critical fight for equal rights and cultural preservation.”
The BTTL Movement was born from community workshops and town hall meetings facilitated by Rights to Democracy, in partnership with the ACLU of Alaska, the Alaska Samoan Tribal, the Pacific Community Association, the Samoan Tribal Council of Alaska, and the Polynesian Association of Alaska.
Key Objectives of the BTTL Movement:
• Secure Full U.S. Citizenship: Advocate for legislative change to grant full U.S. citizenship to American Samoan U.S. Nationals.
• Preserve Cultural Heritage: Support initiatives that promote and protect Samoan culture and traditions.
• Raise Public Awareness: Educate the public about the unique legal status of American Samoans and the need for equal rights.
• Amplify Community Voices: Collect and share testimonies from American Samoan U.S. Nationals to highlight the real-world impact of their current status.
The BTTL Movement invites everyone to attend their initial virtual public meetings to learn more about their mission, vision, and how to get involved.
• Session 1: January 7th, 2025
• Session 2: January 9th, 2025
For more information visit https://maxxon.co/join-the-movement or email info@maxxon.co.
