A group of like-minded Samoans rallying for support for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and West Bank are organising a peaceful march this Wednesday, calling on the Government to "publicly support" the cause. 

The group also set up an online petition that has been signed by over 800 people as of Saturday and will be presenting the petition to the elected leaders of the Samoan government. 

The Samoans for Ceasefire group extended the invitation to members of the public to join them as they march along Beach Road in Apia starting from the Fire and Emergency Service Authority (F.E.S.A.) compound to the government building. 

"This march is a family-friendly event, and all are welcome," the statement reads. 

"We ask everyone who supports a ceasefire to walk with us."

Samoa did not vote during the United Nations General Assembly Resolution to call for a ceasefire as it was absent from the vote and there has been no official word from the government on why they did not vote. 

There has also been no official statement on Samoa's stance on the issue. 

The decision from the Government not to back the General Assembly vote and the lack of explanation from the government irked some citizens of the country and led to the establishment of the Samoans for Ceasefire group. 

Behind the initiative is lawyer Muriel Lui and other group members; Tanya Toailoa, Renate Rivers, Audrey Petaia, John Mauli with the help of many others. 

The group sent an open letter to the Government last month urging their support to call for a ceasefire in Palestine. 

"One of the worst humanitarian crises of our lifetime is unfolding in Palestine," the open letter reads. 

"We have all witnessed the escalation of violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict since 7 October, 2023 when an attack by Hamas claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis as well as more than 200 who were taken as hostages. 

"Since then, Israel has retaliated with the continual bombing and ground attacks of Gaza. As of 10 November, the UN, reports that over 11,078 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October and two thirds of them (6,600) are reportedly children and women. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 1.5 million Gazans have been internally displaced in what has been called the 'largest displacement of Palestinians since 1948'."

The open letter then explained why the "no vote" for Samoa impacts the concerned citizens of the country. 

"As a member of the UN, Samoa was given the opportunity to support a call for the protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations in Gaza, through a UN General Assembly Resolution adopted by a majority vote on 26 October, 2023. 

"We however note with great concern and disappointment that Samoa was absent from this vote and that Samoa did not record a vote on this critical issue. 

"It is this decision by our government that has now prompted us to raise our concerns. The decisions and actions taken by our Government reflects on us, the citizens. 

"We as Samoans are held accountable for our Government's actions and we bear the consequences. We as a group of Samoan citizens practicing in the profession of law want to ensure, in light of this humanitarian catastrophe which is unfolding in the age of technology and being broadcast in real time, that our nation is on the right side of humanity. 

"We have a collective responsibility as citizens of this shared world to protect all human dignity by supporting the protection of civilian lives, despite our varying political or religious beliefs."

The open letter called on the government to support all efforts to end the conflict in Gaza, in particular in our nation's capacity as a member of the UN to support all calls for a ceasefire on both sides. 

Furthermore, it demanded an explanation of its decision to be absent during the vote on the UN General Assembly Resolution on 26 October, 2023. 

The letter was signed by close to 20 individuals who are all lawyers and have been practicing in Samoa for so many years.