Monrovia – A peaceful protest dubbed “White Tuesday,” organized to demand justice and respect for the rule of law, turned chaotic on Tuesday when Liberian police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators gathered at the Capitol Building in Monrovia. Several protesters were injured in the process, and some got arrested and are currently in detention. Among those arrested include Sekou Kalasco Damaro, aide of former President George Weah.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected] and Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Eye witnesses alleged police fired live rounds at protesters, but the police denied using live bullets. The protesters, dressed in white and carrying placards, assembled early Tuesday morning to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as growing injustices, corruption, and violations of the rule of law under the current administration. The rally drew a diverse crowd of activists, lawmakers and concerned citizens calling for accountability and transparency in governance.
Protest Turns Chaotic
The protest was initially peaceful, with demonstrators chanting slogans, displaying banners, and calling for justice and adherence to the rule of law. However, tensions escalated.
In an attempt to break up the gathering, police fired multiple rounds of tear gas into the crowd, sending protesters fleeing in various directions. The sudden escalation led to injuries as some demonstrators fell while trying to escape the chaos.
“We were simply here to send a message to our leaders about justice and the rule of law. Out of nowhere, police started firing tear gas,” said an injured protester who identified herself as Sarah Johnson. “We were peaceful, but they treated us like criminals.”
Injuries Reported
Several individuals reportedly sustained injuries from tear gas exposure and the ensuing stampede. One protester fainted from the tears, a remorseful police officer abandoned his line of duty and went to her rescue. He picked her up and whisked her away from the fog of poisonous smoke from the teargas.
Another protester was seen growling in agony with a deep wound. Some protesters who surrounded him unconsciously Protest organizers condemned the police’s actions, describing them as a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
“Today’s incident is unacceptable. The use of excessive force against peaceful protesters is a clear assault on democracy and human rights,” said one of the rally’s organizers. “We will not be silenced. Our fight for justice will continue.”
‘Creeping Trouble’
Renowned Liberian lawyer, Counselor Pearl Brown Bull denounced the Liberia National Police’s (LNP) crackdown on peaceful protesters at the Capitol Building, describing the action as a “recipe for trouble” and a violation of the Liberian Constitution.
Cllr. Bull asserted that the government’s response to the demonstrators undermines the very foundation of democracy, highlighting that the gathering was not merely a show of support for embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa, but a broader call for respect of constitutional principles.
“As soon as the protesters arrived, gunshots echoed, and the entire area was engulfed in clouds of tear gas. People were running in all directions, lost and disoriented. This situation is unacceptable. It transcends the issue of Speaker Koffa; it fundamentally concerns the rule of law,” Cllr. Brown stated.
Cllr. 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.
She emphasized the necessity for both the Majority Bloc and Koffa’s supporters to adhere to legal protocols outlined in the 1986 Liberian Constitution, particularly regarding the powers and responsibilities of the Speaker, quorum requirements, and the removal of members. Cllr. Brown noted that the government has failed to follow due process as enshrined in Article 20 in the ongoing situation surrounding Speaker Koffa’s potential removal.
Cllr. Bull highlighted the international community’s scrutiny of the actions taken by the police, stressing the need for due diligence and respect for citizens’ rights to assemble peacefully. She attended the protest to serve as a witness, asserting that her presence underlined the importance of adhering to constitutional mandates.
“The first step to resolve this crisis is to maintain peace. The continuous violation of citizens’ rights is alarming, and it stems from the government’s failure to educate the population about constitutional laws,” she remarked.
Addressing questions about the future of the House of Representatives’ leadership conflict, Cllr. Bull warned of the potential for escalating unrest if the ongoing issues are not resolved amicably. She urged citizens to await the Supreme Court’s final decisions on the matter while reaffirming their right to assemble peacefully.
“The police, representing the executive branch, are expected to protect us, not suppress us. We did not incite these protests; the people demand accountability in accordance with the Constitution that we all abide by,” she asserted.
CDC Condemns Police ‘Brutality’
In the wake of the violence, the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) expressed serious alarm over what it described as Liberia’s rapid descent into lawlessness and constitutional breakdown under the leadership of President Joseph N. Boakai. In a strongly worded statement, the CDC condemned what it called the “bloody suppression” of a peaceful protest, describing it as a reflection of the regime’s readiness to maintain power through undemocratic means.
According to the CDC, today’s events mark a dangerous turning point for Liberia, which has enjoyed relative peace since the end of its civil conflict in 2003. The CDC accused President Boakai’s administration of deliberately undermining the rule of law and the Liberian Constitution, citing the recent actions of the Executive Branch following the Supreme Court’s decision on the House of Representatives impasse.
Violations of Fundamental Rights
In the statement signed by Atty. Janga A. Kowo, National Chairman of the CDC, the party noted that the Liberian Constitution guarantees the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech, rights it says the Boakai administration has blatantly violated. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters, some of whom are reportedly being held in undisclosed locations.
“It is crucial to understand that the Liberian Constitution unequivocally protects the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech. The recent actions of the government, including the arbitrary arrest and detention of citizens, are clear violations of these fundamental rights. The CDC demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained, some in undisclosed locations. This blatant disregard for the constitution cannot be tolerated and must be addressed,” the CDC said.
The CDC also expressed concern over what it described as the reemergence of “lynch law” and the erosion of democratic gains achieved under former President George Weah. The statement highlighted alleged instances of censorship, intimidation, and the arbitrary dismissal of civil servants, warning that such actions could undo years of progress.
Call for International Action
The CDC called on Liberia’s international partners, including the United States Embassy, the European Union, and ECOWAS, to take a firm stance against what it described as the government’s “reinstitution of jungle justice” and its suppression of constitutional freedoms.
“Every yard of silence from the international community on these flagrant constitutional breaches grants Mr. Boakai and his administration a mile of misrule,” the statement said. “The time to put the lawless Unity Party government in check is now, not when state collapse would have been cemented.”
Solidarity with the Liberian People
The CDC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Liberia. The party pledged unwavering solidarity with the Liberian people in their pursuit of justice and freedom.
“No abuse of our fundamental freedoms will force the Liberian people and the CDC into submission,” the statement concluded. “Let President Boakai be warned that in the end, he will buckle under the weight of the people’s pressure.”
‘Police Deny Use of Live Bullets
Col. Gregory Coleman, the Police Inspector General, denied that live bullets were fired during the protest. Speaking to reporters at police headquarters, Coleman stated that officers had guided the protesters through their march to the Capitol but confronted them only after they breached a designated protest line.
“The police, for all of the different ongoing [events], have set up no-protest zones, and it was made clear today by barricades that were set up and instructions given to the protesters,” Coleman said. “The police guided them, protected their rights until the barricade was broken. When all verbal commands failed, there was an escalation, and that escalation was only with the use of a non-lethal approach. I made it clear to you today that at no point in time did we use live rounds. We even made vehicles available for you to go to the hospitals and mortuary. Till date, we have not established anyone injured as the result of gunfire.”
U.S. Embassy Issues Warning
Meanwhile, during the confrontation, the United States Embassy in Monrovia issued an alert warning U.S. citizens and staff to avoid the protest area. Protesters have blamed the police’s excessive use of force on efforts to secure the Capitol for President Joseph Boakai, who was visiting to sign the book of condolence for the late former Vice President John D. Gray.
