CMC Calls for Violence-Free Protest -Cautions both Demonstrators, Law Enforcement

MONROVIA : Liberia’s street demonstration history being replete with orgies of unrest, mayhem, and hatred, the July 17 protest embarked upon by the civil society organization STAND and allies under the banner, “Enough is Enough”, has cast shadows of disquiet and fear upon the nation. In the current situation, there is no difference, as the rhetoric in the buildup to the date of protest has clearly been amplifying potential doom. Perhaps sensing from the ongoing scenario, the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) is making preemptive calls for utmost care and discretion on both the protesters and government security forces, as The Analyst reports.

The Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) is calling on all parties involved in the planned July 17 protest to exercise maximum restraint and uphold the values of peace, democracy, and mutual respect that are the pillars of the Liberian nation.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the CMC asserted that the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Constitution of Liberia, not a privilege but a right.

“As such, it must be respected, protected, and exercised responsibly,” the party said. “Citizens have every right to express their grievances, to advocate for justice, and to speak truth to power. But this must be done peacefully and within the boundaries of the law.”

Said the CMC further: “We therefore command all protestors to conduct themselves in a lawful, nonviolent, and disciplined manner. Let this be a day that demonstrates our maturity as a people and our unwavering commitment to democratic ideals. Let it be an expression of conscience, not chaos.”

The party also “command the Liberia National Police and all national security agencies to act with professionalism, tolerance, and strict adherence to the rule of law.”

The use of excessive force, intimidation, or any form of provocation will only inflame tensions and must be avoided, it said, advising that the duty of law enforcement is to protect the rights and safety of all citizens, including those protesting.

The party said the moment demands leadership, not confrontation; responsibility, not reaction, as Liberia has suffered enough from instability, “and we must not allow a single day of protest to jeopardize our collective progress”.

The CMC said it believed that both protestors and security forces carry the burden of safeguarding the peace of this country, stressing the burden must be borne with discipline, wisdom, and love for Liberia.

“Let July 17 be remembered not for violence but for vigilance, not for destruction but for democratic expression, not for fear but for freedom,” CMC further added. “May peace prevail before, during, and after July 17.”