The Power of Collective Action:

Throughout Liberia’s history, the collective power of the people has shaped the direction of our nation. Sometimes, that power has been used constructively to solve national problems. At other times, it has contributed to instability, destruction, and human suffering. Our history teaches us an important lesson: when Liberians unite around a common cause, their collective actions can produce enormous consequences – for good or for evil.

The 1979 Rice Riot demonstrated the strength of collective public action. What began as opposition to a proposed increase in the price of rice quickly developed into a national political crisis.

The riot exposed deep social and economic inequalities and contributed to the conditions that led to the 1980 coup, which ended more than 130 years of Americo-Liberian political dominance.

Although these events brought major political change, they also opened a difficult and unstable chapter in our history.

Similarly, when Charles Taylor and Prince Y. Johnson launched their armed rebellion in 1989, their forces advanced partly because many Liberians, frustrated with the government of the day, initially supported or cooperated with them.

That collective support helped the insurgency spread across the country. Unfortunately, what some believed would bring liberation eventually produced fourteen years of conflict, destroyed communities, displaced families, and claimed many lives. Once again, the collective power of the people changed Liberia – but at a terrible cost.

Collective action has also saved our country. During the civil conflict, ordinary Liberians – especially women – organized themselves and demanded peace. Women’s groups led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee and others crossed religious, ethnic, and political divisions. Christian and Muslim women stood together, dressed in white, prayed, protested peacefully, and pressured the warring parties to negotiate.

Their courageous actions helped create the conditions for the 2003 peace agreement and the restoration of democratic governance. They proved that citizens united behind a just cause can overcome the forces of violence.

Liberia experienced the power of collective action again during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. The disease killed thousands of our people and created fear throughout the country. I was caught in the middle of that national emergency, and our experience was captured in the documentary In the Shadow of Ebola, available at https://intheshadowofebola.com/film

At first, misinformation, fear, denial, and distrust allowed the virus to spread. But when communities, health workers, government institutions, traditional leaders, religious organizations, international partners, and ordinary citizens began working together, the situation changed. People accepted public-health measures, reported suspected cases, stopped unsafe burial practices, washed their hands, avoided unnecessary physical contact, and supported affected families.

Through collective discipline, sacrifice, and cooperation, Liberia brought the deadly virus under control. To a lesser extent, similar principles helped us respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Liberia faces another serious national emergency: the growing drug crisis. We see its effects in our streets, communities, schools, and families. Too many young men and women are being destroyed by dangerous substances. Parents are losing their children, communities are losing productive citizens, and Liberia risks losing an entire generation.

Meanwhile, greedy and wicked individuals continue to profit from the suffering of vulnerable Liberians. We cannot allow this to continue.

The fight cannot be left to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the police, or the courts alone. It must become a collective national struggle. Government institutions must investigate and prosecute traffickers without fear, favor, or political interference.

The courts must ensure accountability while respecting due process. Communities must provide credible information to the proper authorities. Religious and traditional leaders must speak openly against trafficking and substance abuse.

Schools must educate students about the dangers of drugs, while families must pay closer attention to changes in their children’s behavior.

There must be no hiding place for drug traffickers and their collaborators. They should not be protected because they are wealthy, politically connected, related to us, or members of our communities. However, while traffickers must face the full force of the law, people suffering from addiction should receive treatment, rehabilitation, and opportunities to rebuild their lives. The victims of this crisis need help, not rejection.

Liberians have overcome war, Ebola, and many other national challenges. We can also overcome drugs. Let us join the President and the relevant national institutions in this fight. Let us expose traffickers through lawful reporting, protect our communities, educate our children, support those recovering from addiction, and stand together with one voice and one purpose. When Liberia’s people unite behind a righteous cause, even the greatest challenge can be defeated. Through sustained collective action, courage, and accountability, the day can come when the drug crisis is history in Liberia.