1. To the organizers and promoters in the diaspora—a few questions and suggestions:
a) I am curious to know the anticipated outcome of the demonstrations. Will the demonstrations produce the needed finances to enable carry out the RESCUE Agenda of the current administration by solving some of the problems of Liberia that the diaspora Liberians profess to be concerned about?
By Justice Gladys K. Johnson, contributing writer
b) Will the diaspora advocates and organizers and their children be in Liberia to participate in the demonstrations on July 17, 2025?
c) Will the promoters and organizers have the means to restrain or control the demonstrators in case some of them become violent and unruly, and by their disorderly behavior force government (police) to react?
d) Is this your solution to Liberia’s problems; staging a nationwide demonstration in a country of angry, hungry, ignorant, and poor people— calling them to come out in droves in the streets to “lockdown” Monrovia?
2. A few suggestions to the diaspora promoters of nationwide demonstrations:
a) Instead of promoting demonstrations nationwide that could get out of hand and lead to injuries or even death, destruction of properties and a breakdown of law and order, I suggest that you put your resources in programs or undertakings that will impact our country positively: in education, have a diaspora scholarship program to train teachers, in health, scholarships to send graduates from the medical school abroad to qualify; establish farms to employ graduates from college of agriculture….etc.
b) While you and your wives and children are living in foreign parts, secured and saved, do not support or promote activities that will trigger violence and eventually destabilize this country. Liberia and Liberians have not even begun to recover from the consequences of 14 years of lawlessness. Do not start or facilitate a recurrence of lawlessness, the consequences of which may be even more devastating, keeping in mind that Liberians no longer have a safe haven in the country they used to run to in times of trouble.
3. I plead and suggest that the advocates and planners (in and out of Liberia) cancel, call off, and cease from implementing the July 17, 2025 Nationwide Demonstrations. The idea is not in the best interest of Liberia and Liberians. It will be a stage to accommodate trouble. Believe me! If you truly love Liberia, plan peace, development, stability; not violence or disorderly behavior or disrespect for authority, abusing the freedom of speech guaranteed under the constitution.
4. Advice and suggestion to the young men and young women of Liberia
a) Do not come out on July 17, 2025 to participate in the Nationwide Demonstrations. There is no guarantee that the demonstrations will be peaceful. Do not, I repeat, do not expose yourselves to danger to promote some people’s political agenda. Ask yourselves these questions—what benefit will we receive from these persons?
Their children are all in schools abroad. Why should we risk our safety for their political promotions? What have politicians done for the youths of this country? They use us and when they get where they want to be, they forget us. Our schools are barely furnished, most schools lack competent teachers, or teachers in some cases because of inadequate funding. Politicians share among themselves the bulk of the national budget, allocating chicken fee to national programs—programs that could prepare us to become useful citizens instead of becoming zogos.
On July 17, 2025 do the useful things you do to feed, clothe, and house yourselves, and take care of your other needs. Do not join the picket line for political promotions that are of no benefit to you or that may lead to harm. Stay Put! If you truly love your country Liberia, and you better do, it’s all you have. Do not engage in activities that bring about chaos and instability. LOVE TO ALL!
Justice Gladys K. Johnson A very concerned citizen
