A coalition of civic and rights-based organizations led by Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), in collaboration with the ‘We the People’ Movement and partnering civil society groups, has officially informed the Government of Liberia about its plans to hold a nationwide peaceful protest on July 17, 2025.
In a formal communication submitted to the Ministry of Justice, the organizers disclosed their intent to conduct a symbolic procession featuring twenty caskets. According to the group, the caskets represent Liberia’s 15 counties, the victims of the nation’s civil wars (including foreign nationals), those killed during the Kinjor incident, and other individuals allegedly lost to extrajudicial killings.
“This sacred procession is more than a march; it is a collective act of national mourning,” the letter states. “It is a symbolic burial for those denied justice and a reaffirmation of our national vow: never again will Liberia descend into war.”
Three-Day Civic Engagement Plan
According to the notification signed by STAND Chairman Mr. Mulbah Morlu, the protest forms part of a three-day civic action under the theme “Enough Is Enough.” The program is structured as follows:
Day I – July 15, 2025: Civic dialogues and preparatory engagements in communities.
Day II – July 16, 2025: A Peace Caravan featuring a decorated vehicle will tour Montserrado County and neighboring areas to promote civic awareness, nonviolence, and national unity.
Day III – July 17, 2025: Protesters from across Liberia will converge at the Capital Bypass in Monrovia, representing a diverse mix of citizens—youth groups, women’s organizations, students, civil servants, traders, motorcyclists, and kehkeh (tricycle) operators—demanding action against systemic governance failures.
Legal and Constitutional Framework
The coalition grounds its action in Article 17 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly:
“All persons, at all times, in an orderly and peaceable manner, shall have the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the Government… and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate in political parties, trade unions and other organizations.”
In addition, Liberia’s obligations under international human rights conventions—particularly Article 21 of the ICCPR and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)—affirm the right to peaceful protest and impose strict limitations on any government attempts to restrict such actions.
The group also drew a pointed comparison to the June 7, 2019 protest, organized under the previous administration, during which current government officials—including President Joseph Boakai—were granted full liberty to assemble. “We expect the same constitutional protection to be extended to us now,” the communication noted.
Why the Protest Is Inevitable: Key Grievances
The protest organizers cite a series of national crises as justification for the civic action, categorizing their demands into seven major areas:
- Governance and Rule of Law
Persistent violations of constitutional procedures
Rising cases of extrajudicial killings and unexplained deaths
Corruption without consequence
Illegal dismissals of tenured public officials
Demands:
Immediate dismissal and prosecution of officials credibly accused of corruption
Full adherence to constitutional provisions on public appointments
- Economic Mismanagement and Social Decline
Worsening poverty and economic inequality
Breakdown of the healthcare and education sectors
Continued financial privileges for political elites amid widespread hardship
Demands:
Transparent audits of public spending
Renegotiation of exploitative concession agreements
Wage increases for low-income earners
III. Security and Human Rights Violations
Arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions by security forces
Widespread police brutality, especially during peaceful protests
Harassment of vulnerable groups including street vendors, petty traders, and motorcycle/tricycle operators
Demands:
Prosecution of senior security officials implicated in rights abuses
Removal of restrictions on motorcycle and tricycle operations
- Weaponization of the Judiciary
Increasing political interference in judicial processes
Refusal by the Executive to comply with a Supreme Court ruling nullifying the removal of former Speaker Fonati Koffa
Demands:
Restoration of judicial independence
Enforcement of all court decisions
- Land Rights and Property Injustice
Unlawful demolitions and land grabs targeting marginalized communities
Demands:
Comprehensive land reform
Legal protection for communal and customary land ownership
- Political Accountability and Democratic Renewal
Failure of elected officials to deliver on campaign promises
Demands:
Constitutional amendment to enable citizen-led recall of non-performing elected officials
VII. The Ibrahim Khalil Cherif Case: A Breach of Justice
The coalition condemned what it described as the illegal abduction and cross-border transfer of Mr. Ibrahim Khalil Cherif to Guinea, despite a Liberian court order for his release.
“This act—allegedly facilitated by Guinean agents with assistance from Liberian security forces—violates Articles 13 and 21(h) of the Constitution and breaches international norms on due process and fair trial.”
Demands: Immediate return of Mr. Cherif to Liberia
Public disclosure of all individuals involved
Prosecution of those responsible for violating judicial orders
Security and Government Responsibility
The coalition urged the Ministry of Justice to refrain from authorizing or encouraging any counter-protests that may provoke violence or disrupt the planned civic action. Organizers cautioned against the growing trend of state-sponsored intimidation, including attacks by unidentified individuals believed to be politically affiliated.
“We remain fully committed to peaceful protest,” the group emphasized, “but we will hold the Boakai administration responsible for any acts of aggression, intimidation, or harm resulting from its failure to protect the rights of protesters.”
Key Requests to the Ministry of Justice
Official acknowledgment of the protest notification
Guarantee of security for all participants
Rejection of any requests for counter-protests during the planned event
The protest, organizers say, is not merely a demonstration—it is an act of patriotic duty and a test of Liberia’s democratic maturity. “History will judge not only those who rose to speak against injustice,” they concluded, “but also those who denied others the right to be heard.”
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