The American Samoa watchdog group Common Cause has used today's Flag Day fautasi or long boat race to draw attention to its campaign to save Utulei Beach from commercial development.
Members of the organization wearing Save Utulei Beach T-shirts assembled at the beach where McDonald's American Samoa proposes to build its second restaurant.
Common Cause President Dr. Trudie Iuli Sala said their campaign has received support from the chiefs and aumaga or untitled men of Utulei.
"We intend to watch everybody and do our part to show that we still care about this issue of destroying Utulei Beach. We are not out to cause any trouble but to remind people that there is a value in the community coming out and standing up for something very important like Utulei Beach."
