Shipyard employees and CEO call for continued tax exemption for the struggling semi-autonomous agency
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Shipyard Authority employees and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carlos Sanchez, peacefully protested outside the A.P.

![ASSA employees and ASSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carlos Sanchez of the semi-autonomous government agency conducting a peaceful protest on the front lawn of the EOB yesterday morning in response to Treasury refusing to acknowledge their tax exemption status that past Administration’s recognized. [Courtesy photo] ASSA employees and ASSA Chief Executive Office protest](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_6361.jpeg?itok=_AQMwTfT)






![Demonstrators in Dededo, Guam, holding signs with various messages during the 2025 No King's rally. [photo: RNZ Pacific / Naina Rao] Demonstrators in Dededo, Guam](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/guam_demonstrators.jpeg?itok=dmunCh73)
![Congratulations to Deborah for her beautiful and especially heartwarming artwork, which represents American Samoa so well,” said Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata. “Everyone exclaims over her lovely depiction of a strong Samoan mother with a baby.” [courtesy photo] Deborah with her winning painting](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/deborah_vaiotu_artwork.jpg?itok=6fZ7HALs)
