— As Gov”t Grants Permit to Assemble
IPNEWS: He was daring and sounded a warning that ‘any attempt to repeat occurrences of July 7 protest, would be devastating.
Former National Security Advisor, Ambassador Lewis Brown, announcing the planned protest, stated that on December 17, Liberians from all walks of life will assemble at the Samuel K. Doe, sports stadium to express their disgust over the poor handling of affairs of the state amid rampant corruption.
The CPP through the chair of Team Alexander Cummings Campaign, Lewis G. Brown had earlier informed the government of its intention to hold the ‘We Ta-yah Suffering’ rally to inform the government of the suffering Liberians is encountering to survive.
Ambassador Lewis Brown said no matter what, the rally will go ahead after Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Koijee announced the government would not allow the holding of the rally.
Minutes after Ambassador Brown’s statement, the Minister of Youth and Sports, stated that facilities of the Samuel K. Doe, sports complex will not be used for political rallies or other public events.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports statement was quickly backed by MCC Mayor Jefferson Koijee.
The move sparked debate leading to an attack by pro-government support of Amb. Lewis Brown, while at Radio Liberia, providing updates on the planned December 17, protest. Police responded and brought the situation under control.
Since then, the CPP has been mobilizing across the country for a massive turnout.
IPNEWS correspondents in several cities (Buchanan, Ganta, kakata, Pleebo, Greenville, Tubmanburg) say various phone-in radio programs on Friday, December 9, carried massive enthusiasm by CPP supporters and partisans ahead of the December 17, protest.
Callers vented their angle on the prolonged stay of President George Weah out of Liberia, to unbearable living conditions and the high rating price of essential goods and commodities.
As the buildup continues, the Liberian Government through the ministry of justice has finally approved the opposition Collaborating PoliticalParties’s request to assemble for its’ December 17 planned rally.
Justice Minister Frank Miss Dean, in a letter written to CPP Secretary General Martin Kolleh, Dated 8, 2022, cited Article 17 of the Liberian Constitution as the reliance to accord CPP the right to hold the rally outside of the SDK Sports Complex. He said it is the right of the people to assemble and consult upon the common good to petition their Representatives, to petition their Government or other functionaries for a redress of grievances, and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate, etc.
Minister Dean said he had informed the Police Boss Patrick Susie to work out detailed security plans with the CPP for the holding of the rally.
