Cllr. Bull criticized the police for targeting peaceful protesters.
MONROVIA – Constitutional lawyer Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull, a signer of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, became a victim of violence on Capitol Hill Tuesday when Liberia National Police officers fired tear gas and rubber rounds to disperse protesters during the “White Tuesday” demonstration.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The protest, organized to raise awareness about “violations” of the rule of law by members of the legislative majority bloc seeking to remove Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, turned chaotic as police officers cracked down on demonstrators. Cllr. Bull, a respected constitutional expert and historic figure in Liberia, was caught in the commotion.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the incident, Cllr. Bull expressed her frustration with the government’s heavy-handed response. “The government went against the people who voted for them. The protest is necessary. We must adhere to the rule of law. It is not about Fonati Koffa; it is about the rule of law,” she emphasized.
Cllr. Bull recounted her ordeal, revealing that she had recently undergone surgery on both eyes in the United States. “I came to Rally Time Market to get potato greens to wipe the tear gas off my face and my eyes. I just had an operation,” she explained.
Describing the atmosphere at the protest, she said, “The street was packed, seemingly because people didn’t know where to go. Then they started shooting. That’s the government—their own peaceful people! We made them, so we will break them if necessary.”
Cllr. Bull continued to stress her role as an eyewitness to the day’s events. “I came as a witness. I’ve been here since 7 o’clock to see for myself. I foresaw trouble. Everything happening here suggests that some people may have ammunition or want to provoke violence to start a fight.”
She criticized the police for targeting peaceful protesters. “The people have a right to assemble and speak. When the police come and shoot at you—the very people they’re supposed to protect—it’s unacceptable. I’ve never been in a war, but I heard ‘pah-pah-pah!’ and people were running. Even my own security ran, leaving me behind.”
Cllr. Bull, visibly shaken by the incident, reiterated that the government had failed its people. “The Executive branch of government, which is supposed to protect us, has made me a victim. I am a signer of the Constitution. I did nothing wrong.”
The “White Tuesday” protest comes amid growing tensions surrounding efforts to unseat Speaker Koffa and concerns over the integrity of Liberia’s rule of law. Protesters have accused lawmakers of disregarding constitutional procedures and using undemocratic means to consolidate power.
As the situation on Capitol Hill continues to unfold, Cllr. Bull’s presence—and her ordeal—serves as a powerful symbol of the protest’s call for justice and adherence to the rule of law.
Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull, one of the signers of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, is widely recognized as a leading voice on constitutional and legal matters. Her unexpected appearance at Tuesday’s protest underscores the significance of the ongoing debate surrounding governance and democratic principles in Liberia.
The Liberia National Police has yet to comment on the violence and allegations of excessive force. Civil society groups and opposition voices have already condemned the police response, calling for an investigation into the incident.
