Monrovia – Deep-thinking ideologues, stalwarts, devotees, solidarity forces and sympathizers of the nation’s leading, largest, most structural and conscious revolutionary political movement, the indomitable Vanguard Student Unification Party.
Members of the Press and the Liberian populace, in due appreciation and humility to the Deity, the greatest mass-based student movement of all times has lived to see another year in this century. We have surmounted the odds through unflinching audacity and enthusiasm to continuously pursue the ultimate agenda of the masses.
The total emancipation of our people from the cage of poverty and indignity remains an indispensable priority of the Student Unification Party. SUP, as a grassroots institution will never abandon its original mission for which it was established in 1970.
Our pursuit for social justice, academic freedom and peace remains undaunted and unshaken. On this front, we have defeated oligarchs, dictators, autocrats and imperial elements. On this stage, we have led our nation to multi-party democracy and political inclusion. And on this path, we shall finally lead our people to prosperity, justice and equality for all.
October 20 of each year is a month of sober reflection and reminiscence for ideologues, stalwarts and sympathizers of SUP in Liberia and the Diaspora. It was on this day of this month in 1970 when SUP was born to untie our people from mass exploitation and abuse for 133 years under the oligarchic hegemony of the Trug Whig Party.
After 46 years, we are proud and elated that all of our people can stand in long queues to cast their ballots. After 46 years of struggle, we can boastfully aver that our people now have the right to own properties, speak freely and serve in public offices.
After 46 years of pursuing equality and justice, everyone now has the right to elect and be elected for. No one needs to change his/her name or be attached to certain class before acquiring education at the University of Liberia. The Student Unification Party (SUP) has broken these anti-democratic and autocratic barriers.
This is what we stood up for yesterday and this is what we are standing up for today. Since 1970, we have never neglected our ideological philosophy and mandate to jealously protect the unprivileged and marginalized class of our society. On this foundation, we came into existence, and on this pedestal, we shall lead our people to a glorious end.
After 46 years, there are still forces and elements of the fifth column working against the willpower of our people to succeed and live a prosperous life. These puppeteers, corporatocrats, looters and counterfeit-patriots are unyielding in their endeavor to keep our people in shackles and manacles. We must rebuff this ill-omened agenda by reconsolidating our forces through a united front.
The forces against our collective destiny to pursuing quality education and prosperity remain adamant since 1970, and we must unite now to confront them with persistence and determination. We cannot afford to see our children coming to this University and learning in such a horrible and hostile environment.
It is time for students to rally around SUP and demand quality education. The struggle for social justice and academic freedom will never end until our people are mentally and economically liberated. It is time to abandon whatever we are doing and muster the courage to defeat poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and disease.
They (reactionaries) must not always define where we go, when we go and how we go. Our destiny is in our own hands and we must take total control of it. If those in authority refuse to use our resources to protect our interest and guarantee our welfare, we must rally and demand change. We must engage those anti-progressive elements in order to secure a new future and a new beginning.
We must soldier on to make Liberia a better place for all and not some. The most unpatriotic thing to do is to remain silent and allow sheer thievery to prevail. Overtime, the Government of Liberia has ignored the enormous plights of thousands of struggling and self-sponsored students at the University of Liberia.
Today in this West African region, the University of Liberia is the least in terms of quality education. The lack of modern research center, library, science laboratory, computer lab, internet facility, student loan, aid, student center, and transportation service as a result of low budgetary allotment is hindering quality education and academic excellence.
While few officials of government are pocketing millions of public fund, over 31,000 students are struggling every semester to acquire quality tertiary education amidst abundant natural resources. This has to stop and must stop now.
It is unfortunate that the passage of the Student Loan Bill and the activation of a National Internship Program have been considered nonessential by those we have given power to.
It is a pity after 169 years for our people in West Point, Clara Town, Soniwen, New Kru Town, Chicksoup Factory, Logan Town, Doe Community, Plumcor, Red Light, Bardnersville, Duala, Caldwell and Buzzy Quarter to still be living in slums and shacks. They have no access to basic social services. As a result, they are living an abnormal life. This sad story has to change and change now!
It is time for all of us to rally around the Student Unification Party to usher in this change. Certainly, SUP is properly positioned to usher in a new era. We must demand it and fight for it. We will not get it until we go for it. As we celebrate 46 years of existence, may we never forget in the words of Federick Douglass that “There is no progress without struggle.”
Let us not forget after 46 years about our fallen heroes and heroines who fought till death.
These revolutionary and ideological men and women deserve our homage and remembrance. With memorable veneration, we honor on this day martyrs Michael G. S. Dolo, Swanzy Elliot, Wuo Garpee Tarpia, Tonia Richardson, Momolu Lavalla, Wiwi Debbah and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the struggle for the emancipation of our people on course.
We also salute the contribution of all of you who are still making frantic effort to unchain our people from economic hostage and humiliation for almost 2 centuries now. SUP will continue to fight until change comes. We are proud of our legacy and will forever remain. Long Live the ever-potent Vanguard Student Unification Party. SUP will never die.
Done and issued on this 20th Day of October AD 2016 by the mandate of the Central Committee and Politburo concomitantly of the Student Unification Party (SUP).
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