Community in Wonderland: rallying to realize our destiny

On October first, over 500 people got together at Adelup.  Rallies on our island are often associated with political parties.  This was different.  This was about coming together to say, the U.S. Department of Defense's record of decision will not determine our destiny.  They refused to hear us out.  They won't give us a voice in our own future?  Well this is our home.  And we are not going anywhere.  We will do everything in our power to make sure that the destiny we envision for our island will be realized. 


Our local media was present, but as usual they turned the story in to something else.  They made it seem like we are all completely anti military and want them all gone.  They took something that was beautiful and put it under dim lights with their biased reporting.  They helped to feed the fire in the nasty hearted people who comment on their articles.  I try not to care what they say anymore.

But the truth is that the rally was a positive event.  It gave people a place to share their dreams for our island.  It gave us a place to let out our frustrations about our DEIS/EIS comments being replied to with generic responses.  It was a place where generations of our people could share stories and laughter and hugs.  It was also about spreading awareness to those who wanted to know more about what is going on and the impacts the build up will have on us.  It was about giving the side of the story that our media often spins until it is unrecognizable.

Here are my highlights of the rally:

• There were so many families in attendance.  Many of them were young families who want to know that their children's future will not be narrated from the pages of the EIS.  I heard a young mother talking to her daughter in Chamorro and another mother making sure her two young sons understand why they were there.
• There were many students at the rally.  They were having conversations about their concerns regarding the build up.  They weren't just whining.  They were making very legitimate points.  I think it is great that they are conscious of what is happening around them, but at the same time I'm worried that we may have to do more to help these young adults cope with this. 
• There was a table where you could sign up with the Chamorro Registry.  This is awesome!!  So many people may want to do this, but don't know where to go and what is required.  
• There was a table where people could create their own signs.  This is a great outlet for our frustrations.
• There were fact sheets and fliers for upcoming events.