Chaotic Tuesday, Police, Protesters Clash -Several Wounded, Arrested on Capitol Hill

By: H Matthew Turry

MONROVIA – The Capitol Hill of Liberia was a scene of chaos when the Liberia National Police fired teargas, and allegedly used live bullets to disperse a group of protesters under the banner “Concerned Citizens for the Protection of Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law” gathered on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, to demand an end to the political impasse at the Capitol Building.

The assembly organized by the Concerned Citizens for the Protection of Constitution, Democracy, and Rule of Law in Liberia, was led by District 9 and 10 Representatives, Frank Saah Foko and Yekeh Kulubah.

 Speaking to journalists, one of the protesters identified as Decontee said their actions to assemble was to remind the government and the International community about the growing disregard of the rule of law in the country especially on Capitol Hill.

“We came here peacefully to assemble and express our grievances to the government through the so-called majority bloc but see what the police has done to us; they teargas us, beat us, and even used live bullets on us,” she alleged. 

She continued by saying, “Our objective is to raise awareness about the flagrant disrespect for constitutional principles and democratic governance in Liberia since the ascendency of the new government”.

James Darkor, a protester from District #8 Montserrado County said, “We are here to remind the government of its obligations to the Liberian people. Our democracy must be protected, and the constitution upheld at all costs. We demand justice and accountability for all”.

A prominent voice in the Liberian civil society, Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull who joined the protest, underscored the historical significance of adhering to Liberia’s laws.

Reflecting on her experience and her late husband’s legacy as the first legal counselor of the House of Representatives, Bull emphasized that due process must prevail.

“We the signers of the 1986 Constitution, after the first coup d’état fought for democracy and the people’s choice. If something goes wrong, it affects us all, so we must adhere to the rule of law,” she said, noting that there is a speaker who was elected for six years, and is the presiding officer. The Majority lawmakers were wrong to act outside due process, and those advising them need to revisit the journals and learn the law.

Speaker Koffa Reacts

Condemning what he said was the police use of excessive force to disperse the group of protestors who had assembled to petition their lawmakers to respect the rule of law and curtail the ongoing leadership crisis on Capitol Hill, embattled House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa did not hesitate to vent his anger.

“The right of citizens to peacefully assemble is cardinal. The use of force cannot be callous. Peace is better than war, because life is better than death,” Speaker Koffa cautioned.

Arrests Made

According to the Inspector General (IG) of the Liberia National Police Gregory Coleman over 70 unarmed protesters including the former Presidential Aide to former President Weah, Sekou Kalasco Damaro, were taken to the headquarters of the LNP. Some were taken to Central Prison including Sekou Kalasco Damaro.

The tension escalated when protesters advanced toward the main entrance of the Capitol Building, commenced to use force.

The clashes created chaos, leading protesters to scatter in multiple directions, with many fleeing toward Jallah’s Town belt.

During the clashes, an LNP officer was reportedly beaten by protesters, and the firearm was allegedly taken. Police officials informed journalists that the injured officer is receiving medical treatment at a health facility in downtown Monrovia.

The protest follows a series of controversies surrounding governance, judicial independence, and perceived delays in addressing critical concerns.

At the protest, many participants were calling for government reforms, a stronger judiciary, and improved measures to combat corruption and respect for rule of law.

Security forces, including police and officers from the Executive Protection Service (EPS), were deployed at the Capitol to monitor the situation where protesters including journalists were intimidated. 

On the grounds of the Capitol Building, an agent of the Executive Protection Service violently assaulted a reporter of the Liberian Investigator Blamo N. Toe and other journalists during the ugly scene.

The incident occurred as reporters, including Journalist Toe, gathered to provide media coverage of an ongoing protest dubbed “White Tuesday,” led by former Grand Bassa County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh. Simultaneously, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai was at the Capitol to sign a book of condolence for the late John Gray, former Vice President and Senator of Grand Cape Mount County.

Moments later, the same EPS agent escalated the ordeal by targeting another journalist, Aloysius Nuch Jallah of Jallah TV.

“No Live Bullets Fired”

Meanwhile, the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Information has refuted claims of live bullets being discharged by officers of the Liberia National Police during the protest on Capitol Hill.

 Speaking at the Tuesday press briefing, Information Minister Jerolimik Piah said, “No live bullets were fired during a protest staged by some Liberians around the Capitol Building on Tuesday as reported by some media entities”.

According to Minister Piah, as far as the Government is aware and based on briefings from the Joint Security, law enforcement forces employed only non-lethal force to disperse protesters who were blocking the free flow of vehicular traffic and movements, not heeding police instructions, on the Capitol Bye-pass main road, around the seat of the National Legislature.

“While the Government fully respects the rights of citizens to protest, such action must be exercised without violating the rights of others,” he said.

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