By Taina James Karbah/National Correspondent
Serious questions have arisen following a protest organized by the Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) in Monrovia on Tuesday, which failed to achieve its primary goal of presenting a petition to President Joseph N. Boakai.
The protest, themed “Lead or Leave,” aimed to criticize the performance of the ruling Unity Party-led government. Beginning at STAND’s headquarters, protesters marched through parts of the capital, carrying placards with messages such as “Boakai Is Unable to Govern.” The protest was led by Mulbah K. Morlu, the former Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).
Before the march, Morlu assured participants that they would peacefully gather at the Executive Mansion to personally deliver the petition to President Boakai. He emphasized that if the President did not receive the document himself, the protesters would remain on the Mansion grounds, cooking and sleeping there for weeks.
As the protesters approached the vicinity of the Executive Mansion, officers from the Liberia National Police (LNP) redirected the march toward the University of Liberia, citing security and route concerns.
This decision created visible tension between the protesters and the police, raising questions about whether the organizers had secured the necessary clearances or adequately coordinated the route of the march with state security.
More troubling for many participants was the failure of the protest leadership to read or publicly present the petition. Despite earlier assurances, Morlu was unable to deliver the document, leaving protesters and onlookers uncertain about the protest’s outcome and overall effectiveness. By the end of the day, the crowd gradually dispersed without any engagement from the Executive Mansion or clarity on what next steps, if any, would follow.
Disappointment
Several participants expressed disappointment, questioning whether the protest had been properly planned or if its leadership had underestimated the logistical and security realities surrounding such a high-profile demonstration.
This incident has ignited a broader debate about the organization, strategy, and credibility of opposition-led protests, as well as the balance between the right to peaceful assembly and state security enforcement in Liberia.
Meanwhile, STAND Chairman Mulbah Morlue and several others have been cited by the Liberia National Police for damaging citizens’ properties during the protest and for staging an unlawful protest.
