Protest is set to unfold in the heart of Monrovia on today 17 July, bringing Liberians from various walks of life under the banner of the “Enough is Enough” movement.
This demonstration, organized by civil society group STAND and led by its Chairman Mulbah Morlu aims to address critical issues of governance, economic hardship, and the perceived erosion of democratic values in Liberia.
Isaac Jackson, spokesman for the group has urged citizens to join the protest, emphasizing that the future of Liberia’s democracy hangs in the balance.
He warns that the time for peaceful collective action is now, stating, “The fruits of peace have no boundaries. It knows no tribe, religion, political party, or social class.” His comments highlight the necessity of coming together in the face of systemic challenges that have left many Liberians struggling.
Jackson has directed sharp criticism at President Joseph Boakai, accusing his administration of neglecting the rule of law and failing to respect democratic principles.
“We currently have a president who doesn’t respect the rights of others or the independence of our democratic institutions,” he declared, expressing the frustrations of many citizens who feel marginalized.
Tensions appears to be creeping in the lead-up to the protest, particularly following controversial statements made by Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman.
Coleman alleged that protest organizers were planning to incite violence by using illegal weapons—a claim that STAND vehemently denies. The group has condemned these allegations as baseless and a dangerous attempt to criminalize peaceful dissent.
In a statement, STAND accused Coleman of abusing his authority and warned that any attempts to disrupt the peaceful gathering would be met with strong resistance. “We reject these fabrications,” STAND asserted, emphasizing their constitutional right to demonstrate.
Morlu, the chairman of STAND, has issued a stern warning to the Liberia National Police regarding the treatment of protesters. He stated unequivocally that any violent response to the demonstration would result in serious consequences for police leadership.
Morlu criticized the current administration for its governance failures, citing rampant corruption and economic struggles faced by ordinary Liberians.
“The people are tired of suffering,” he stated, calling attention to issues such as the unjust treatment of market women and the unjustifiable killings of protesters in previous demonstrations.
Despite the charged atmosphere, both the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police have reportedly granted permission for the protest to proceed along designated routes, including Tubman Boulevard and Japanese Drive. Various gathering points have been announced, where citizens will converge peacefully to voice their grievances.
The “Enough is Enough” protest promises to be a pivotal moment for civil liberties in Liberia, as citizens seek to hold their government accountable and demand action against corruption and economic injustices.
What the Organizers Say?
The people are rising, and justifiably so! The streets are boiling with anger, and the nation cries under the weight of injustice, oppression, and betrayal.
Boakai’s regime has become a threat to the survival of the Liberian people, and these are just a few of the countless reasons why citizens are gearing up to demand what rightfully belongs to them on July 17.
- The price of basic social commodities is skyrocketing! From rice to medicine, survival has become a daily struggle while Patrick Honnah, Dukuly, Piah, Kruah and others dine in luxuries.
- The exchange rate is crushing livelihoods! At 202 LRD per USD, the Liberian dollar has become worthless. Families are starving while Boakai’s inner circle stuffs their pockets with hard currency.
- The Constitution is being violated with impunity! This government ignores the law of the land and spits on the very document that binds us together as a nation.
- Police brutality is now state policy! Gregory Coleman, the pink-lipped puppet of repression, is turning the police into a private militia and silencing dissent with batons and blood.
- Tuition fees are outrageously high! Under Boakai, education has become a privilege for the rich. Our children are being denied their future because they can’t afford to go to school!
- Mysterious killings and political imprisonment are rampant! In less than two years, Boakai’s regime is already soaked in blood and fear; silencing voices, jailing critics, and ruling with an iron fist.
- Directors and SOE chairpersons are swimming in wealth while hospitals are under-equipped and schools are in ruins,. Boakai’s officials are collecting OVER $15,000 USD monthly a slap in the face of every struggling Liberian.
What Others Say
An Alternative Approach to the July 17 Protest
Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, Assistant Professor/Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law/University of Liberia
Liberia’s history bears the deep scars of public protests-many of which, while rooted in legitimate grievances, descended into violence and yielded few, if any, immediate political gains.
From the infamous 1979 Rice Riots to the cascading unrests that followed throughout the 1980s and 1990s, mass demonstrations often resulted in tragic loss of life, widespread destruction of public and private property, and further hardship for ordinary Liberians, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
Far too often, these moments have disrupted our fragile economic progress and stifled the everyday functioning of the state without delivering the lasting reforms they sought.
Given this sobering context, we as political actors must now embrace more strategic, constructive tools to advance governance reforms.
While protest remains a constitutional right and a vital form of democratic expression, we must ask: what genuinely moves the needle toward meaningful change? In my view, the path forward requires more than soundbites and street slogans-it demands disciplined, deliberate engagement.
To the leaders of the July 17 Movement, I respectfully offer an alternative approach. Rather than initiating a public protest at this stage, I encourage you to methodically document-by date and detail-any alleged constitutional violations or acts of governmental overreach.
Armed with this evidence, seek a formal audience with His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai, and present your case with clarity and conviction. Such an initiative would signal not only a desire to hold leadership accountable but also a commitment to democratic dialogue and institutional reform.
I am aware that some may view this position as an attempt to dilute the right to dissent or may invoke the Unity Party’s past support for similar protests. I understand those sentiments. However, emulating the missteps of the past does not legitimize them in the present.
Our responsibility, particularly in this new democratic dispensation, is to chart a higher path-one of principled leadership and constructive engagement.
We must now begin to shape a Liberia where dissent is not only lawful but thoughtful; where action is not just forceful, but purposeful. Only then can we build the kind of democratic society our forebears envisioned and our children deserve.
