Ahead of Today’s Protest:
LNP Warns!!
Tensions are reportedly mounting as the Liberia National Police (LNP) issued a stern warning ahead of today’s July 17 “Enough is Enough” protest.
The protest ready LNP, has meanwhile, declares the main entrances to the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building, as “restricted zones.”
The warning followed a show of force by the joint security during a patrol exercise broadcast live on social media on Tuesday, July 15.
According to the LNP Deputy Inspector General for Operations (102), Nelson Jallah Freeman, “the restrictions aim to safeguard key government installations and ensure public order during the demonstration.”
Henceforth, protest organizers have been told to reroute and avoid approaching these “critical zones,” with the police warning that any attempt to breach the restricted areas, “will be met with strict enforcement of the law.”
The government had earlier given conditional approval for the “mass demonstration,” following a crucial meeting between the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and leaders of STAND (Solidarity and Trust for a New Day), including representatives of allied civil society and political groups.
STAND is headed by Mulbah Morlu, former chair of the erstwhile ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) led by footballer George Weah.
Police Inspector General (IG), Gregory Coleman, who participated in the security coordination meeting on July 11, reiterated that while the Boakai administration respects the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, “any disorder or provocation would not be tolerated.”
“We recognize the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression,” said Coleman.
“However, we urge STAND and its supporters to conduct themselves responsibly.”
MoJ then echoed this sentiment in a press statement, promising to protect the rights of lawful demonstrators, while maintaining stability.
As the ‘protest’ nears, calls for both restraint and responsibility have flooded the public space. Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), has meanwhile, issued an appeal on Wednesday, July 16, urging the government to exercise care in dealing with protesters and respect their right to assemble. “Democracy may not thrive in the absence of peaceful and well-intentioned protests that are genuine, fact-based, and used to project issues that affect the generality of the population,” Miamen stated in a statement. He called on citizens to be constructive and evidence-driven in their demands, and on authorities to preserve the country’s growing democratic image.
Meanwhile, a counterview was expressed by Bishop Kortu K. Brown, a prominent Pentecostal cleric and former president of the Liberia Council of Churches. Brown spoke during worship service at his New Water in the Desert Apostolic Pentecostal Church on Sunday, July 13.
He opposed street protests, arguing that dialogue remains the best path forward.
“I have always not supported any protest,” he adds: “There are other ways we can address national concerns.”