As Boakai Gov’t Issues Strong Warning Against Dec. 17 Planned Protest
PHOTO: (L-R) Information Min. Jerelinmek Piah and STAND leader, Mulbah Morlu
By Frank Sainworla, Jr., fainworla@yahoo.com,newspublictrust@gmail.com
Information Minister Jerilinmek Piah said the Executive Mansion “is not a place for demonstrations”
Part 2 of the July 17, 2025 “Enough is Enough” protest by Mulbah Morlu’s STAND civil society group is slated to kick in tomorrow, Wednesday, December 17 under the code name, “Lead or Leave”, but the Liberian government has issued a stern warning to stay clear of the Executive Mansion on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
STAND, Solidarity Trust for a New Day, chaired by the former Chairman of the main opposition party of former President George Manneh Weah, Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), says this Wednesday’s street protest is being planned in front of the Executive Mansion, the seat of the Liberian presidency.
They want to assemble there because STAND says the Unity Party government of President Joseph Boakai has so far failed to address their grievances last July.
Among other things, their petitioner called for the dismissal of police Inspector General and his Deputy for Operations, a halt to police brutality, increase in government employees’ salaries, the restoration of the rule of law, abolition of corruption, and independence of the Supreme Court. Nationwide Protest Being Planned Demanding End To Police Brutality, Corruption & Disrespect For Rule Of Law – News Public Trust
But in a strong warning recently, Information Minister Jerilinmek Piah said the Executive Mansion “is not a place for demonstrations,” asserting that the government’s plan to enforce tight security around the seat of the presidency.
It is a clear signal that authorities will not tolerate any protest activity in that area, thus if protesters insist, analysts predict a standoff could play out between the Liberia National Police and demonstrators.
This comes hard on the heels of STAND’s statement that it will mobilize thousands for what it says is a peaceful action calling for improved governance.
Article 17 of the Liberian constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly by citizens and the latest planned protest by STAND has since sparked heated public debate and tension over the exercise of such rights generating mixed reactions.
The Liberian Council of Churches through its Secretary General, Rev. Christopher Toe recently called on STAND not to hold their December 17 protest, arguing that it’s being set close to the festive Christmas season when the streets will be crowed.
But critics of the LCC said the Church leaders are hypocritical because they during the past regime failed to call for the halting of street protests by the then opposition (now the ruling establishment) during similar festive seasons.