Monrovia – The Solidarity and Trust for a New Day STAND has announced that it will hold a nationwide protest on December 17 under the theme “Lead or Leave”. The announcement was made by STAND Chairman Mulbah K Morlu Jr who described the protest as the Battle of Gaugamela, where the future of Liberia will be decided.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Morlu compared the upcoming protest to the historic Battle of Gaugamela fought in 331 BC where strategy courage and leadership triumphed over tyranny and overwhelming forces. He said the protest will show the courage and unity of Liberians against what he described as the oppressive police power of the government.
Speaking at a press event in Monrovia, Morlu said the protest will be peaceful lawful and led by the people but warned that demonstrators will not leave the streets until their demands are addressed. He suggested that the protest could last several days and will involve nonviolent but fearless resistance at the Executive Mansion.
Morlu said Liberia is sliding toward dictatorship under President Joseph Boakai and accused the administration of police brutality, judicial corruption economic collapse and attacks on opposition parties, religious institutions, students and civic organizations.
He also cited extra judicial acts including the demolition of the CDC headquarters, the assault on the CDC Chairman, the Kinjor massacre, the torture of detainees as reported in the US Department of State 2024 report and the killing of vulnerable citizens including Matthew Mulbah.
Morlu said that Boakai has become the gravedigger of Liberia’s democracy and warned that unless citizens stand up the country will continue to live in fear which could prevent free and fair elections in 2029.
He described the December 17 protest as a peaceful political revolution and said it will mark the rise of a Grassroots Octopus movement driven by the people to demand justice and defend democracy. Morlu told participants not to fear police tear gas or weapons and said that doubt is the real enemy and must be overcome for Liberia to rise again.
Morlu addressed President Boakai directly, saying that those looting the nation are enemies of the Republic seeking vengeance rather than justice. He warned that on December 17 the people will hold the government accountable peacefully but firmly and demanded that Boakai lead or leave.
STAND also called on the international community to pay close attention to the situation in Liberia and not be misled by government propaganda. Morlu warned that the country is sliding toward authoritarianism under the guise of governance and urged global partners to support Liberians in their peaceful pursuit of justice and democracy or risk losing the country’s democratic institutions.
In his final declaration, Morlu said that on December 17, Liberians will gather at the Executive Mansion united and determined to demand accountability and defend their democracy.
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