Monrovia – Organizers of this week’s Save-the-State Protest in Liberia say the peaceful assembly of Liberians will be done within the confines of the laws of Liberia.
“We have assured our international partners including the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) in the several meetings with them that it would do everything to ensure that the protest is done under a peaceful atmosphere. “As was discussed and agreed with the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the presence of the AU, ECOWAS and the UN, they (the government) will provide the necessary security to ensure the general peaceful conduct of the protest,” the statement averred. “
The Council of Patriots
In a statement Sunday, the Council of Patriots which comprises individual patriotic citizens, Civil Society Organizations, Liberian professionals of all walks of life including but not limited health workers, teachers, engineers, marketers, students, farmers, transport operators, civil servants (who run the risk of salary reduction), youth and women organizations and the Collaborating Political Parties, announced that the peaceful assembly of Liberian citizens on Friday June 7, 2019 is intended to petition the Government of Liberia to take immediate actions on issues of governance, the worsening economic conditions, rule of law, and the unprecedented level of corruption.
Said COP: “We will also want a definitive position of this government on the implementation of the recommendations of the TRC Report especially as it relates to the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court as a further demonstration of this government’s commitment to genuine reconciliation and closing the chapter of the Civil War. We want to again emphasize that the peaceful protest being organized under the auspices of the COP is not intended to ask President George Weah to step down as we are keen on ensuring that the Constitution of Liberia is respected.”
COP says it has assured our international partners including the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations (UN) in the several meetings with them that it would do everything to ensure that the protest is done under a peaceful atmosphere. “As was discussed and agreed with the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the presence of the AU, ECOWAS and the UN, they (the government) will provide the necessary security to ensure the general peaceful conduct of the protest,” the statement averred.
COP says it has informed the Ministry of Justice that the routes of the peaceful protest will be as follow: “People from central town and across the bridge will assemble at the Ducor Palace Hotel and march to Capitol Hill while those from the Paynesville, Congo Town, Sinkor and others will assemble at VAMOMA and march to Capitol Hill. We call on all protestors to be vigilant and promptly report any/all suspicious activities to the security personnel who be guarding the protest.”
The COP urges all Liberians not to engage into any act(s) that will undermine the peace we all enjoy. We also like to emphasize that the right to peacefully assemble and petition our government should be respected by all and doing so should not be misinterpreted by anyone for their selfish motive(s).