For the first time in Liberia’s history, McGill said, lawmakers were subjected to physical assault by law enforcement officers, a development he described as a grave injustice to the nation’s democracy.
MONROVIA – In the wake of a violent clash between police officers and lawmakers at the Capitol on Monday, Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill has condemned what he called “police brutality” against elected officials.
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr(231886458910)[email protected]
For the first time in Liberia’s history, McGill said, lawmakers were subjected to physical assault by law enforcement officers, a development he described as a grave injustice to the nation’s democracy.
The senator, visibly angered by the events, emphasized that the Capitol Building is a sacred ground for the people, representing the will of the electorate. “The Capitol Building is the people’s ground, and unless police intervention is officially requested by the proper authorities, any intrusion or attack on lawmakers is a blatant violation of the separation of powers,” McGill said.
McGill criticized the silence of his colleagues and others who have failed to speak out against the police’s actions, particularly when many lawmakers were directly affected by the violence. “Many are silent, pretending this does not concern them simply because they are not directly impacted,” he said. “But this is a threat to our democracy, and it concerns us all.”
The senator called for full accountability, specifically targeting Police Director Gregory Coleman. He demanded that the police chief be held responsible for what he referred to as an “unlawful invasion” of the legislative space.
McGill vowed to take the matter to the Senate Plenary, filing a formal complaint against the police action and calling for a full-scale investigation. “This is an unprecedented act that undermines the essence of our democracy and disrespects the very representatives of the people,” he said. “We cannot allow such violations to go unanswered.”
The senator’s move comes amid growing political unrest in the country, as tensions among lawmakers and the police escalated.
McGill’s filing for an investigation signals a deepening commitment to protecting the independence of the legislature and upholding the rule of law in Liberia.
As the political crisis unfolds, Senator McGill’s stand is likely to spark further debate in the Senate, with many waiting to see whether the Senate will take action to address what some are calling an alarming erosion of the separation of powers in the country.
