The Standard Bearer and Political leader of the Alternative National Congress(ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, says he is totally appalled and upset over the action taken Tuesday, January 18, 2022 by the Liberian National Police to disperse protesters who had gathered within the proximity of the Temple of Justice and the Capitol Building to call for the expeditious trial of the case where he stands accused for forgery and criminal conspiracy by the political leader of the All Liberia Party(ALP), Benoni Wilfred Urey.
Mr. Cummings’ position was contained in his reaction to the incident and posted on his social media page, in which he stated: “the Liberia National Police unleashed a ferocious, surprise, cowardly and unprovoked attack against peaceful Liberians expressing their democratic right of assembly”, and said that many of those who had turned out for the protest were tear gassed and wounded under life threatening circumstances by their government whose duty it is to protect these Liberian citizens, and their right of assembly.
“This demonstration of lawlessness and police brutality evidences a pattern in this government to suppress democratic rights including using untrained goons, pressuring the judiciary, and abusing the powers of their offices”, Mr. Cummings said.
He called on the citizens to double their efforts to fight against what he called “tyranny”, asserting that when corrupt people connive, good people must unite. “When we stand together, and for each other, we will win – real change will happen”, he said.
Mr. Cummings noted that the unprovoked attack on peaceful Liberians exercising their right to assemble peacefully again underscores various issues with the police including its lack of training, impunity, use as a partisan force for evil, and its resistance to changing a history of the state’s abuse of power against those it swore to protect.
While emphatically condemning the action in the strongest terms possible, the businessman-turned politician said Liberia will not be returned to its dark days of fear, police brutality, lawlessness and intimidation of Liberians by who do not share similar views or those with whom they may disagree.
“I have reached out to some of the wounded and have promised to do whatever I can to help them recover. I thank all who turned out peacefully in the exercise of their citizenship rights. I stand with all of them, and with all Liberians whose right to live in a better, more just and more democratic society continues to be threatened by a corrupt and irresponsible government.
“To all of us, I say our sacrifices and struggles will not be in vain. Change is coming. Real change will happen in our country. Those wounded today will win tomorrow for a better Liberia”, he said.
He reminded Liberians that the long road to change the country for the better has only just begun and that any government that delights in harming the citizens it should be protecting deserves no democratic considerations from the people.
“Let it be known: Our democracy will not be surrendered to fear and abuses of power. Liberians will win. Liberia will rise. Our nation will remain democratic”, Mr. Cummings concluded.
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