CPP Provides Update On ‘We Tayah Suffering’ Rally -Says Momentum High, targets More than 100k Liberians

MONROVIA – As the momentum gains traction and time ticking towards the much publicized “We Tayah  Suffering Rally”, the main organizers of the peaceful gathering, the Collaborating Political Parties(CPP) yesterday, Monday, December 12, 2022, had a major press conference to provide updates just as it said more groups are joining the crusade as well as more supports continue to flood the direction of CPP and others for the successful hosting of the event.

Addressing the media at the Headquarters of the CPP yesterday, the Deputy Secretary General of CPP and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the rally Martin Saye Kollah said he was very excited that since the decision to hold the rally and the subsequent appointment of the steering committee, there have been additional group of people and institutions swelling the numerical strength of what he called “a national cause” as well as support from well spirited individuals and institutions from both at home and abroad.

“Since the announcement of this committee to steer the affairs of this rally, we have been receiving massive support from individuals and institutions across the country and outside of the country to identify with this important rally that will be against the exploitation of our resources and the abuse of power. Some of the groups are the National movement of Disenchanted CDCians Against President Weah’s re-election, National Tailoring Union, National Mechanics Union, Small Business Women Group, etc”

He said massive preparations are ongoing where some key individuals and institutions have been taking the airwaves and some excited volunteers are engaging people in the various communities in and around Monrovia.

“We have intensified our outreach and publicity to our people in the various communities through dramas, singing, distribution of leaflets, flyers, playing of jingo, etc to sensitize our people to take part in the rally, free T-Shirts are available for collection at various points  that we have identified and people are asked to go there and pick theirs or for their groups”, he said.

He said the organizers are vigorously mobilizing the citizens and it is expected that an estimated 150,000 persons will be at the SKD Sports Complex, venue of the rally to send a clear signal to the ruling establishment about the poor state of affairs and deteriorating conditions of the citizens.

Commenting further on how well the rally is being promoted and received, Kollah said in a way they have to be grateful to the government and its agents through the unwarranted provocations and attacks against organizers of the rally, especially Mr. Lewis G. Brown, the most visible focal person of the rally.

“We also want to thank the CDC and the government for all the attacks against us especially Ambassador Lewis G. Brown because they also added to the awareness as people in the rural areas and other places like Bong , Nimba, River Gee, Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount, Sinoe, Lofa, all the places are now calling for their own rally”.

On security, he said as of date, they have gotten commitment from the Liberia National Fire Service that their personnel will be available, while the Ministry of Justice has not only given the permit but also has instructed the authority of the Liberia National Police Force and other security agencies under its jurisdiction to provide the necessary security and protection to all those who will turn out for the rally. He also said there will be ambulance services provided for the program on that day.

Kollah, who is also the National Secretary General of the Liberty Party(LP) said the government should be grateful to the organizers for taking the path of voicing out their grievances through peace otherwise others who have been angry with the government who have taken the other route will not be good for the country.

“The government should thank us for providing the platform for people to vent their anger in peace because  under other circumstances, they would have taken another route but we understand the law to make the people live peacefully”, he said.

For his part, Mr. Lewis G. Brown, a lead of Team Cummings  said he was equally happy that despite all the mechanisms, condemnation, lies, slander and threats from both the government and even some from the opposition community the rally is taking shape and vowed that no matter the situation, it will be held. He described the rally as a national cause beyond political and religious affiliations for Liberians to freely express without fear their frustrations and disappointment about the broken and failed promises of President George Manneh Weah and its impact on the suffering masses

He said he was taken aback by the passive ways Liberians respond to situations they are faced with especially when the government of the day is meting out untold suffering on them and they keep murmuring in silence.

He said suffering in silence is dangerous to any country’s democracy and took a swipe at the government and even some members in the opposition community who made all efforts to thwart the initiative by mischaracterizing the rally as a CPP political campaign for its standard bearer, Alexander B. Cummings.

There are only two positions, you either identify with the plight of the suffering masses, stand with them during these difficult times, or you are willfully in support of the inept and poor performance of the ruling CDC government”, he said.

In a moving tone, Brown told the audience, that also included representatives of the various groups who have committed themselves to be part and parcel of the rally, organizers, among others why they have chosen the SKD Sports complex, stressing it was at the venue that President Weah made the promises to the Liberian people but failed to fulfill them.

“Strangely, this very government 5 years ago won more than 61% of our votes in this country. Such an overwhelming victory that Mr. Weah did not take oath in the national shrine but at the SKD and that is why we are returning to the SKD. That was where  he made promises to the Liberian people so that is where we are  going to remind him about the promises he made to our people”, he said amidst cheers.