IPNEWS: A Diaspora-based non-partisan group has said it is completely flabbergasted by the July 19, 2023, incident during which unknown persons violently dispersed anti-corruption campaigners led by Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, standard bearer of the Liberia People’s Party, LPP, in Monrovia.
The unknown persons on the fateful July 19 afternoon pelted stones at the anti-corruption campaigners among whom were the LPP standard bearer and his running mate, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, who was whisked out of there in a vehicle unharmed.
The incident occurred near the Providence Baptist Church building on Ashmun Street in central Monrovia where the anti-corruption campaigners had peacefully gathered for a brief program following a parade through Broad Street. Two persons were reportedly wounded, and no arrest was reported.
In a press statement issued on August 4, 2023, the Executive Committee of the Liberia First Super Political Action Committee (LIFTSPAC) the DIASPORA-based group said Cllr. Gongloe and his anti-corruption campaigners did nothing wrong, but peacefully assembled to express their dissatisfaction on the spate of corruption allegedly in the Liberian Government and has a devastating impact on the citizenry.
The LIFTSPAC’s press statement unequivocally stated that the behavior of the stone throwers was distasteful, callous and unacceptable, adding that violence by any individual or group must be rejected and condemned at every level of the Liberian society.
“We know the destruction, violence and lawless behaviors caused our Nation and people,” the LIFTSPAC’s press statement noted.
On July 26, 2022, a group of individuals allegedly under the banner of the CDC-COP similarly stoned some students at the University of Liberia, who had peacefully assembled near the United States Embassy in Monrovia to express their displeasure over how the Country was being governed by President George Weah and his officials.
It still remains unclear as to how those that were arrested in connection with the July 26, 2022, violence was set free.
LIFTSPAC in its statement said there should be no place in our community for anyone or group to engage in acts of violence.
“We urge the Government of Liberia to be swift and prompt in condemning violence, mob actions and take immediate steps to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators”, the LIFTSPAC’s statement further said.
The statement thanked the anti-corruption campaigners for what it said was the level of maturity and peacefulness they demonstrated by not responding to the violence with violence despite their numerical strength and capacity.
LIFTSPAC admonished all Liberians to engage in political processes with a high level of respect and peaceful interactions.
