Dems, supporters hold ‘roadside wave for change’

CNMI Democratic Party chair Nola K. Hix, second from left, leads members and supporters during a “roadside wave for change” at the Garapan Fishing Base across Kristo Rai church in Garapan Thursday afternoon. At extreme left is Peter Muna and behind Hix is former Labor secretary Edith Deleon Guerrero. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Members and supporters of the CNMI Democratic Party led by chair Nola K. Hix held a two-hour “roadside wave for change” at the Garapan Fishing Base across Kristo Rai Church last Thursday afternoon.

The group started converging at 4pm in two tents by the shoulder of Beach Road. Most of the participants wore white T-shirts with a message “Vote for change in 2020.” They were also holding up placards that read “For Our Precious Environment,” “For Equal Employment Opportunities,” “For a Better CNMI,” and “For the Lands That Belong To Us.”

Among the participants were lawyers Stephen Woodruff and Joe Hill, former Labor chief Edith Deleon Guerrero, and Peter Muña, who is planning to run as a Democrat for a House of Representatives seat in Precinct 5.

Hix said they want to do the roadside waving not just on that day, but for every month until this November’s midterm elections.

“We want the community to stand in solidarity for a better CNMI,” Hix said.

When asked why they did the roadside waving that Thursday, Hix said it was prompted by rumors of some grand jury proceedings at the federal court happening on that day.

“And you know, we just want to send a reminder that hope is here to stay. The only thing stronger than fear is your vote,” she said.

It was previously reported that, at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. District Court for the NMI has subpoenaed the records custodian of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC to appear last Thursday, Jan. 30, to testify before a grand jury.

The subpoena—issued last Nov. 6—commanded the unnamed records custodian of IPI to provide any communications between any owners, executives, or employees of IPI and Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres discussing, directing, or summarizing cash transactions and/ or donations to the Friends of Ralph organization or to any other political campaigns on or after Sept. 1, 2013.

Hix said they want to remind the people of the CNMI not to forget to vote for change in 2020.

“Let’s look forward to a positive outlook for the elections and for the people of the CNMI, on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota,” she said.

Asked if she has information about a grand jury that day, Thursday, Hix said she has not confirmed it but that was what they have heard.

“We will be hosting a Roadside Wave for Change every month, and it just so happened that the party wanted to host our wave today. We will be hosting one next month, all the way until the midterm elections,” she said.