‘Protestmaics’ & Futility of Protests -Citizens Weigh in on Demonstrations as July 17 Dawns

MONROVIA: As usual, characteristic of street protests, throngs of unsuspecting young people and some elderly persons are taking to the streets of Monrovia to embark upon what organizers sloganeered as “Enough is Enough” protest against the Unity Party government in demand of a horde of ‘grievances’ coming out of ‘egregious’ governance sins allegedly committed by the government. The rest of Liberians sitting home are waiting to see what the next six to twelve hours brings as an evidence of benefits to be accrued from the protest. Judging from history, keen observers have already got a clue: sweat and tears and wears here and there if things go well at best, or bloody bodies and bunch of prisoners, followed in hours by querulous talk shows and ire-adored social media posts. In days and weeks, general calm prevails, while a few citizens and families in their corners wail and groan. That’s what Liberian protests often cost and pay. And as the long-awaited, publicized July 17 dawns, Liberians have been voicing their candid opinions. The Analyst reports. 

Tens, or hundreds or perhaps thousands of Liberians are taking to the major streets of Monrovia today, mobilized by a network of civil society organizations, headed by STAND, and under the banner “Enough is Enough” to make demands of a litany of governance issues from the ruling Unity Party government.

Core Issues of the Protest

Back in April this year, the Solidarity Trust for a New Day (STAND) announced it was mobilizing Liberians across the country to stage a national protest in demand of several governance corrections from the Joseph Boakai presidency.

The organizations, later expanded by the “We the People” group, adopted an initial 10-point resolution underpinning the motive of the protest.

Prominent amongst the demand are a minimum wage of US$500 for all civil servants to address unbearable living conditions, a complete overhaul of the healthcare system to prevent avoidable deaths due to government neglect, and an end to restrictions on motorbike and kehkeh operators “unfairly targeted”.

The group also said it would use the protest to demand for the reversal of politically motivated dismissals in the civil service; the restoration of constitutional order and tenure protections, particularly after what they call the illegal removal of the Speaker of the House, and the dismissal of Police Director Gregory Coleman and Deputy Director Nelson Freeman, “following unresolved incidents of police brutality and disappearances, including the Kinjor killings”.

According to STAND and allies it would also be demanding compensation for victims of forced evictions, especially those displaced under questionable development projects; the full prosecution of corrupt officials and a comprehensive audit of concession agreements with foreign companies, and development and transparency for concession-affected communities, such as those impacted by Bea Mountain.

Furthermore, the network of protesters said they would be calling for a national referendum to reduce the tenure of lawmakers and the presidency, as part of broader democratic reforms. 

Opposition to the protest

A number of Liberians have been expressing their disgust and disapproval for the STAND- ignited protest, generally on the ground that protest historically in Liberia has done more harm than good, except to give national attention and popularity to a few organizers who are often treated as heroes or heroines.

In addition to those who have issued statements decrying the holding of the July 17 protests, The Analyst conducted roving interviews with other citizens.

“In Liberia, street protests have increasingly become a tool for political retribution, rather than a means for genuine civic engagement,” said student leader James Manston, Jr. who observed that whenever a new administration takes power, protests are often used by the outgoing party to narrow the democratic space and settle scores with their political opponents. Conversely, when those who were previously in opposition take power, they too resort to similar tactics, creating a vicious cycle of tit-for-tat politics.”

According to him, this politicization of protests undermines the democratic process and erodes trust in institutions and undermine even genuine protests when they are planned.

Buttressing Manston was J. Alexander Polson who said it is innocent citizens who become pawns in a larger game of political power, suffering the consequences of violence and instability that come with protests.

“The true intent of the protests is often lost amidst the political posturing, and the real issues facing the country are left unaddressed,” he said, noting: “Liberia’s democracy should not be held hostage by political vendettas masquerading as civic activism. We need to prioritize constructive engagement, respect for democratic institutions, and genuine dialogue to address our nation’s challenges. The people of Liberia deserve better than to be caught in the crossfire of political score-settling.”

Pastor Chester P. Jay asked: “As Liberia continues to grapple with various socio-economic challenges, a pressing question arises: do street demonstrations truly serve the interests of the Liberian people? History suggests otherwise. Time and again, these protests have devolved into violence, bloodbath, and the imprisonment of innocent protesters, while the organizers often remain unscathed.”

The Liberia cleric contends that the cost of these demonstrations extends beyond the immediate chaos; it undermines the very cause the protesters are fighting for, eroding public trust and confidence in the movement.

“The innocent citizens who participate, often driven by genuine grievances, become the face of the violence, suffering the brunt of the consequences,” he said. “Moreover, the organizers, who frequently escape accountability, seem more interested in self-promotion than genuine reform. This disconnect between the leaders and the masses they claim to represent raises critical questions about the true motives behind these demonstrations.”

Pastor Jay warned: “Liberia needs meaningful change, but street demonstrations, as a method, have proven ineffective and counterproductive. Instead of chaos and destruction, we should focus on constructive dialogue, strategic advocacy, and sustainable solutions that address the root causes of our problems.”

He called on Liberians “to channel our energy towards building a better Liberia through peaceful and inclusive means. The future of our nation depends on our ability to work together towards lasting change.”

Gongloe, LPP dissents

Those propositions expressed during roving interviews seemed to align with the views of a noted Liberian human rights lawyer, a member of the Liberian progress stock, Cllr Tiawon Gongloe.

A week or two again, he issued a statement distancing himself from the July 17 protest, claiming that the July 17 protest is “a politics of hypocrisy and dishonesty”.

In said in a statement: “The Liberian People’s Party (LPP) wishes to categorically distance itself from the planned July 17, 2025 protest organized by STAND, a pro-CDC civil society organization headed by the immediate past Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), a former ruling party.”

While recognizing the right of citizens to peacefully assemble and express dissatisfaction with the hardships currently confronting Liberians, marked by economic instability, poor governance, lack of accountability, and a weakening of the rule of law under the Boakai-Koung, the former Liberia Bar Association president, said from 2006 to 2018, it was the Unity Party (UP) that presided over massive corruption, accentuated by institutionalization of legislative bribery, patronage, impunity, and the hollowing out of public institutions. That broken foundation was not only preserved but perfected and deepened by the CDC administration from 2018 to 2024, under whose watch public accountability all but collapsed. STAND’s leadership, drawn directly from the CDC’s highest ranks, is therefore not positioned to credibly lead a protest against problems that their own governance greatly contributed to.”

He continued: “We will not be used to legitimize a political drama between two sides of the same coin-the CDC and UP who have both betrayed the public trust…Our record stands on integrity, independence, and an unwavering commitment to building a new Liberia based on the rule of law, accountability, justice, and anti-corruption reform. We remain the only viable alternative to the cyclical failures of both UP and CDC. LPP is clear. CDC has no credibility to protest against bad governance.”