Samoans for Ceasefire voiced their disappointment towards the Government for not turning up to receive their petition following a peaceful protest on Wednesday morning in Apia. 

The members of the like-minded group made up of Samoans peacefully marched along Beach Road Apia to rally for actions from the Government to support and commit their efforts in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and West Bank. 

The protest included compassionate advocates for peace from different age groups and from different walks of life. 

They prepared posters, banners and flags calling for peace in Palestine. The group gathered in the early hours of Wednesday morning and started walking from the Fire and Emergency Service Authority (F.E.S.A.) to the Government Buildings. 

They assembled on the lawn in front of the Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u Building at Matagialalua, waiting for a Government representative to receive the petition. 

This newspaper understands that the Government was put on notice almost two weeks prior about the march and was extended an invitation to nominate a representative to receive the petition.

"Today (Wednesday) when we waited, we went up to the the Acting Prime Minister and was told he was going to have a briefing with MFAT (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) about our issue before anyone can come down to receive," lawyer Muriel Lui told this newspaper. 

"No one turned up. One of the main reasons we marched today was because our Government chose not to attend or register a vote for the United Nation General Assembly ceasefire resolution on 26 October, and then remained silent even when its people called for an explanation.  

"Without an explanation, the only assumption we can take from the non-vote was that it was an act of cowardice."

The online petition was signed by more than 1,000 Samoans near and far, calling on the Government to support a ceasefire. 

"It is with disappointment, that the Government today displayed an absolute disregard for its accountability to its people, to the people they are there to serve, to the people who they represent in their positions."

Despite the "disappointing response" from the government, Ms. Lui said they will not be stopped. 

"We will be personally be delivering the petition to the Government through the appropriate representatives. For we are Samoans and we afford respect to our elected leaders even if they have forgotten their own responsibilities to their people.

"Our hope is, that our Government heeds the voices of its people, contained in this petition, and actually hold themselves accountable to them. We seek for our Government to support a ceasefire in Gaza and Westbank."

Renate Rivers, the spokesperson for Samoans for Ceasefire delivered the keynote address and spoke about the rationale behind the peaceful protest. 

"Many of you have been called to support this initiative because of the inaction of our government to join a global call for ceasefire," Ms. Rivers said. 

"We thank you for your coverage and willingness to use your voice which holds much power to advocate for the powerless."

She then cited the recent statistics of the number of lives lost since the attack in October. She described the statistics as "heartbreaking and infuriating" saying it's testaments to the urgency of their plea. 

Of the thousands of Palestinians lives lost, there are 6,387 children and 4,257 women. 

"These are not just numbers to throw about; they represent human lives, people with their own communities, families, neighbours, friends and colleagues. 

"They were people with dreams and hopes for the future. 

"A future now erased by the relentless bombing and violence that has left Gaza as a shadow of its former self."

She then talked about the living nightmare the survivors in Gaza and West Bank now face having no food, electricity, access to clean water, healthcare and decent shelters. 

Ms. Rivers then articulated that those who are enjoying the freedom in their countries have an obligation to speak and stand up for those suffering in Palestine. 

"As Samoans for ceasefire, we stand united in our resolve to call for our elected leaders to make a stance and address this humanitarian catastrophe. 

"To advocate for the voiceless, and to demand for a total and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank. 

"In the face of these circumstances, the call we make today to the government of Samoa, is not merely a diplomatic request. It's a moral imperative. The numbers tell a story of lives lost, families shattered and communities in ruin. 

"We cannot and we must not remain silent in the face of such suffering. 

"We urge the government of Samoa as a respected member of the Pacific region to leverage its influence and diplomatic channels to publicly and unequivocally call for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine. 

"Our collective conscience demands that we take a stand against the inhumanity that these statistics of death and suffering represent. 

"Beyond the geo-political complexities these numbers are a reflection of the very essence of human existence. Each life lost, each child orphaned, each person injured, is a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the sanctity of human life regardless of nationality or breed. 

"We ask our government not to turn a blind eye to the cries for help from Gaza and West Bank. As we demand a ceasefire, we also demand a commitment to supporting efforts towards rebuilding lives, providing access to basic necessities, and fostering an environment where peace can flourish.

"Remember those statistics and never forget that they represent people, just like us. Keep them in your hearts, and let our collective call be a beacon of hope for those who suffer and a testament to the enduring strength of our shared humanity."

Another participant, Flora Rivers who flew all the way from New Zealand to join the protest commended the efforts of those who organised the rally. 

"You do not have to be a Muslim to call for peace. You do not have to be a Muslim to feel the suffering," she said.