IPNews-Monrovia: The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police Col. Patrick Sudue, says the Liberia National Police (LNP) will not entertain any marches in the principal streets of Monrovia,except a peaceful assembly.
According to Col. Sudue, insisted that Organizers of the June 7th protest under the banner protest organizers under the banner “Council of Patriots”, will be also to exercise their constitutional rights in accordance with Articles 1 and 17 of the Liberian constitution, but with assembling in a place to present their gravance.
Col Susie spoke to newsmen at the close of a two-day National Stakeholders community policing engagement consultation under the theme: Say No to Violence
Article 1 of the constitution states: “All power is inherent in the people. All free governments are instituted by their authority and for their benefit and they have the right to alter and reform the same when their safety and happiness so require. In order to ensure democratic government which responds to the wishes of the governed, the people shall have the right at such period, and in such manner as provided for under this Constitution, to cause their public servants to leave office and to fill vacancies by regular elections and appointments.”
But Contrary to this Col. Susie stated that Article 17 of the constitution did not give Protesters the eighth to march through the streets but to peacefully assembly.
He cautions that the protesters to be mindful of Article 13 that where one right stop another person right begins from there.
Article 13b of the Liberian constitution states: “Every person lawfully within the Republic shall have the right to move freely throughout Liberia, to reside in any part thereof and to leave therefrom subject however to the safeguarding of public security, public order, public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others.”
The Police Inspector General also said “the right of other citizens should be observed during the much publicized June 7 protest, as protester quoted Article 17 of the 1986 constitution, Article 13 should also be observed meaning where your ends and another man right begin from there.”
He added that the LNP has taken a new turn in giving the people access to the police to through such community engagements.
Sudue urged citizens to see the police as their own and alway promote peace and educate people on how to do away with violence.
But in reaction to Col. Patrick Sudue’s statement, the UL based student movement, the Student Unification Party,SUP, says it will not ahead to any unconstitutional move by government or the supreme Court of Liberia to stop them from exercising their rights to protest come June 7 2019.
12 thoughts on “Ahead of June 7 Protest, Police Announces Ban on Marching in Streets;Says Only Assembling Will be allowed”
So Police how will they get to the assembling ground
They need to pick a place to assemble! Most of you should know it. Lived abroad, with your placard around your neck with wordings that everyone is to carry.
Is that how CDCians protested under Ellen Johnson administration? Don’t be afraid if you think your leadership is doing well for the Liberian people.
We shall fly, just like they flew when cdc was protesting. These idiots are clowns
Those partisan police must be jokes
The constitution is being misinterpreted by the IG. There are areas the protesters would want to go to present their petition, how do they get to locations they want to get to without a peaceful march. Example, the protesters would want to also present their petition to Embassies, how do they get there. The security needs to be careful with decisions they want to make. Just my opinion
Bill, on the contrary COP also should know their constitutional right that’s to gave clarity of assemble. The protesters/organizers should also be objective in the finding in order for the police to assist if others decided to cause violence . the chairman of COP are yet to clarify assembly locations or place of matching. Let’s them make known to IG as to how they want to go about the June 7th to excise their rights.
I agree with you my dear & the very government is the one misinterpreting and disrespecting our constitution & this is what that bother lot of us.
Monrovia is already overflowed with traffic daily. They need to assemble in a certain area and their petition will then be received by the various people for delivery, to the government, or embassies.
No protestor is above the Law. And we the citizens that are not protesting have our rights not to be stranded and our movement blocked.
Now I see, the protestor want war, as for me I am certain that they want to start something that will be chaos. And frankly they cannot and will not remove the sitting president.
I have children returning that day from Medical care outside Liberia, and appreciate free movement.
This government shouldn’t be looking for problem all over, when cdcians were rooming up and down during the past regime there were specific location for them. Plz stop causing chaos in this country, your right is to provide security for the protesters, they are Liberians.
What are you not complaining about the congestion of human traffic that is clotting the streets of Monrovia or people selling in the traffic roads with no respect to traffic laws? Now you think the protesters will be the one to disrupt your kids returning home because of their presence in the streets?
I agree with you my dear & the very government is the one misinterpreting and disrespecting our constitution & this is what that bother lot of us.