Senator William A. Parkinson will host a community town hall on Guam’s political status options on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Yigo Senior Citizens Center. The event will feature the Guam Commission on Decolonization and its three task forces — on Independence, Free Association, and Statehood — each invited to present their perspectives and engage directly with the public.
Parkinson said the forum aims to fill gaps in public education, particularly regarding the statehood option, while ensuring equal space for all choices. The Yigo gathering marks the first in a series of village-level town halls designed to bring discussions about Guam’s future directly to residents. “By holding town halls in our villages, we can talk openly about each status option and, most importantly, listen to the concerns, questions, and hopes our residents have,” Parkinson said.
The senator, who has been candid about his support for statehood, argues that Guam’s sacrifices and strategic role in the Indo-Pacific demand a full and equal place in the United States. He pointed to Guam’s high per-capita U.S. military enlistment rates and stressed that any status change must reflect the informed consent of the people. “I believe statehood offers the most secure and equitable future for Guam, but this decision must come from an informed community,” Parkinson said.
The town hall is free and open to the public. Parkinson urged residents across the island, especially those who have felt excluded from past status discussions, to attend and participate in the dialogue.