Right to Democracy and the America the Beautiful for All Coalition have united in support of American Samoa’s right to protect its ocean and seabed from destructive deep seabed mining. The organizations have drafted a petition to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, backed by residents and diaspora from the five U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION
The letter calls for an immediate halt to unilateral deep sea mining proposals, expressing strong solidarity with leaders and local communities of American Samoa who have voiced their firm opposition to extractive activities that threaten their ecosystems, traditions, and right to self-determination.
“A logo i tai, ua logo i uta” — What is felt in the ocean is felt in the land!” explained Jaiyah Saelua from American Samoa. “This Samoan proverb is especially true in small Pacific nations who are culturally, spiritually, economically connected with the ocean that surrounds and sustains us. Even the smallest of disruptions in the ocean can have huge impacts on our lives on the land.”
“The ocean is life for Pacific islanders, an ancestor, and part of who we are. Indigenous communities understand the sacred responsibility we inherit to protect our ocean,” said Sheila Babauta from Northern Mariana Islands. “We stand with American Samoa, and the rest of the Pacific Islands, to defend the very being that has sustained us for centuries. Indigenous voices center balance, relationship, and healing – and Indigenous peoples must be the decision makers – for the well-being of our ocean and our people.”
“Indigenous communities in American Samoa are speaking up and we must stand with them,” said Ahtoy Won-Pat Borja of Guam. “The Federal government must no longer sideline and sidestep the concerns of American Samoans. Deep seabed mining threatens their communities with the kind of environmental harm whose effects will be felt by generations.”
“American Samoans have a right to a seat at the table to make decisions about their ancestral waters,” said Imani Daniel, US Virgin Islands. “Many territories have stories regarding polluting industries that promise transformative socioeconomic progress, but often leave our communities saddled with overwhelming damage to our homes and ecosystems – leading to numerous health and ecological challenges.”
“This issue reflects the real world, day to day consequences imposed on the people of the territories by the undemocratic colonial-legal framework that governs their lives,” said Nayda Bobonis Cabrera, Right to Democracy leader from Puerto Rico. “Alongside the many practical and environmental reasons to avoid these extractive ventures stands the basic denial of power and agency to the communities who will be most affected. I am proud to stand with the American Samoan community and the cross-territorial community at such a crucial time”
“This issue is deeply tied to legacies of colonial rule, perpetuating a long-standing pattern of extractive exploitation in our territories,” said Adi Martínez-Román, co-director of Right to Democracy, which works to advance democracy, equity, and self-determination in U.S. territories. “Pacific and Caribbean territorial communities have borne the brunt of resource extraction and exploitation made without our consent.”
“Thirty percent of all US oceans are in the territories,” said Angelo Villagomez, ocean co-lead for the American the Beautiful for All Coalition. “The people living in the territories need to play a larger role in deciding what takes place in American waters.”
The groups emphasize this issue is not only about environmental protection. The petition urges the U.S. federal government to:
- Halt all unilateral plans for deep seabed mining in American Samoa;
- Commit to community-led decision-making processes, listening to Indigenous and territorial voices and respecting their power and agency;
- Invest in clean, sustainable alternatives that support island economies and sustainability for future generations.
As part of this effort, Right to Democracy and the America the Beautiful for All Coalition are inviting residents and diaspora from U.S. territories to sign the petition and stand in defense of the ocean, cultural heritage, and future of American Samoa.