Micronesian community hosts peace wave
Tamuning's ITC intersection was abuzz with activity Thursday evening during rush hour as dozens of Micronesian business owners, nonprofit organization members, politicians and residents gathered for a peace wave.
John Howard, president of Foneni Achocho Sensu, the athletic organization that organized the wave, said Thursday's demonstration was meant to be a display of peace and camaraderie.
"The main goal is to stand up for peace," Howard said as passing cars and trucks sounded their horns in solidarity. Behind him, the popular band MicroNation was on stage in the adjacent park, performing popular island songs, which provided a festive atmosphere and gave wave participants something to sway to as they gestured to passing vehicles.
Tamuning Mayor Louise Rivera and Tamuning Vice Mayor Albert Toves stood at the corner of the intersection holding a banner that read "Wave for Peace." The Tamuning hula dance group, folks from the Kustomize custom print shop in Mangilao, and dozens of others lined the sidewalk while holding signs and waving.
"It's something we scheduled for a long time. It's supposed to be with our partners like Peace program and WestCare (and) the Tamuning mayor," Howard said. "And we just invited the senators who is willing to stand for peace."
"We want the perception to change," said Howard, who is Chuukese. "Of course, we have bad actors in our community, but it's not because we are Micronesian. We are human beings. Sometimes we make mistakes. We are not worse than the other ethnic groups in our island. We all make mistakes."
Thursday's demonstration was the first that Foneni Achocho Sensu, or FAS, coordinated. Howard said more events will be planned. The wave was a way to raise awareness and promote the group's message, Howard said.
Some people at the wave held signs that said "Guam is Home," "We (heart) Guam," and "No Jesus No Peace." One sign urged passersby to honk if they loved Jesus. Foneni Achocho Sensu had a large banner with the words "We Stand Together" and "Peace, Unity, Collaboration, Prevention" scrawled across it.
Also present at the wave were acting Consul General Johnny Silbanuz of the Federated States of Micronesia Consulate Office in Guam and his staff, according to Howard.
Guam Sen. Chris Barnett briefly reprised his role as longtime emcee and radio DJ, showcasing his decades of experience as a local media personality at one point during the event and picked up a microphone to urge the demonstrators on the sidewalk and the motorists in their vehicles to come together. "We're all Micronesians," Barnett bellowed. "Biba! One love!"
The message that Howard hoped came across to the community on Thursday was that of unity, he said. "The theme is: We stand together. It's an invitation for our community to understand that we have to stand for peace. We have to come out and show the community that, yes, we are a peaceful people."
Participants of all ages were at the wave.
"We have children here that are born U.S. citizens. So, you know, we want the people to welcome us and to accept us that we consider Guam as an adopted home," Howard said.
Many from the nearby islands of the FSM are in Guam in line with terms of the Compact of Free Association, Howard said. They work in the private sector and the government of Guam. Their children enroll in schools and participate in extracurricular activities such as sports. Many have opened businesses on the island.
The Compact of Free Association between the U.S. and the FSM allows citizens from both countries to travel between the countries without a visa. U.S. citizens can travel to FSM to work and live indefinitely, as FSM citizens can also travel to the U.S. to live and work. The agreement dictates a number of arrangements between the two countries, including that the U.S. has exclusive military use rights in the FSM. The Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have compacts with the U.S. as well.
"We have children that are (going) to school, that are studying. So we want the help to make us achieve and graduate and just become more productive and responsible citizens," Howard said.
Howard said his athletic club, Foneni Achocho Sensu, organizes sports events but also uses its platform to encourage members to be responsible and productive. Among the messages he hoped to share at the wave was to encourage people to "say no to crimes, to say no to gangs, to say no to drugs, but yes to books, yes to schools and yes to sports."
