Monrovia-A war of words has erupted in Liberia ahead of Friday’s planned July 17 protest, as Solidarity and Trust for New Day (STAND)-Led Coalition, Chairman, Mulbah Morlu accused senior government officials of spreading deliberate disinformation to undermine a peaceful demonstration.
By Jaheim T. [email protected]
His remarks came after Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman and Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah warned of alleged plots involving petrol bombs and illegal weapons.
“We’ve come to the public to debunk these concordant lies that have been published by Jerolinmek M. Piah and Police Inspector General, Gregory Coleman. These are liars, these are devils, and when Boakai said in 2023 that he was prepared to dance with the devil to acquire state power, these were the guys because they care about protecting their positions not Liberians,” Morlu said.
Government and Police Raise Alarm
Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman issued a statement affirming citizens’ constitutional right to protest under Article 17, but warned of credible threats.
He said intelligence assessments suggested that while most demonstrators intended to remain peaceful, some individuals were preparing for violence.
“Our assessment indicates that while an overwhelming majority intend to demonstrate peacefully, there are credible indications that a small number of individuals may attempt to exploit the gathering to commit acts of violence,” Coleman said.
He revealed that investigators had intercepted Molotov cocktails and identified suspects linked to illegal firearms.
“Anyone who engages in criminal acts under the guise of protest will be investigated and held accountable under the laws of the Republic of Liberia,” he warned.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah echoed those concerns, saying some protesters had been caught with petrol bombs.
“Your right to protest will be respected. But you do not have a right to violence,” Piah said, stressing that the government would protect both demonstrators and citizens going about their daily business.
Morlu’s Defiant Counterattack
Morlu dismissed the warnings as fabricated propaganda designed to intimidate citizens and justify repression.
He accused Coleman and Piah of deliberately spreading lies to shield officials implicated in a $19 million cocaine scandal.
“Jerolinmek M. Piah, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, are spewing lies that even the devil would envy,” Morlu declared.
He argued that the allegations of petrol bombs and firearms were part of a campaign to criminalize dissent.
“To throw out a deliberate falsification against peaceful protesters, in my view, is to create a pre‑justification for a murderous agenda,” he said.
History of Peaceful Demonstrations
Morlu pointed to his movement’s record of non‑violence, recalling last year’s July 17 protest when similar warnings were issued but no weapons were found.
“There was not a single person caught with a kitchen knife, let alone firearms,” he said, accusing Coleman of repeating baseless claims.
He insisted that protesters would remain disciplined and law‑abiding, despite what he described as attempts to criminalize dissent.
Allegations of Collusion with Cartel
Morlu went further, alleging that Liberia’s security leadership was compromised by ties to drug traffickers. He cited accusations against the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency, arguing that the police and LDEA could not credibly investigate themselves
“There is a need for an independent investigatory process to take charge of this $19 million drug scandal, because the cartel cannot investigate itself,” he said.
Morlu accused Coleman of shielding traffickers and transforming the police into a militia.
Warning Against Intimidation
The opposition leader suggested that the government’s narrative of violent protesters was designed to justify a crackdown.
He accused Coleman of preparing the police to brutalize demonstrators, citing past incidents of alleged killings by security forces.
“We know what he can do. His hands are stained with the blood of peaceful protesters,” Morlu charged, referencing the death of demonstrators in Kinjor and the killing of a mentally challenged man.
Rallying the Public
Despite the warnings, Morlu urged Liberians to turn out in large numbers, framing the protest as a constitutional duty and a test of democracy.
“Our endeavor is patriotic, nationalistic, revolutionary but also peaceful and constitutional,” he said.
He vowed that demonstrators would remain resilient until what he described as an entrenched cartel was dismantled.”
Coleman’s Call for Restraint
Coleman, however, emphasized that the police would act professionally and impartially.
He said officers had been instructed to respect human rights and protect both protesters and the wider public.
“The legitimacy of democratic policing depends not only on enforcing law, but on earning and maintaining the confidence of our people,” he said.
He urged organizers to adhere to approved protest routes and reminded participants that the Executive Mansion grounds were off‑limits.
“On Friday, the National Police will deploy all over the city with one objective: to protect life, safeguard property, and facilitate the peaceful exercise of constitutional rights,” Coleman said.
Piah’s Warning on Misinformation
Piah also cautioned against the spread of rumors and inflammatory content, warning that false information could escalate tensions.
“Forced information can escalate tension unnecessarily and even place the state at risk,” he said.H
He reiterated that the government would protect peaceful protesters but act decisively against violence.
Morlu counters that such claims are fabrications designed to shielding officials implicated in drug trafficking and to justify repression.
“We will be peaceful, we will always be law‑abiding, and we’re not giving in to tactics of fear and intimidation,” Morlu said
