STAND Protest 11 Arrested, Car Vandalized

Normal activities on Capitol Hill were brought to a standstill today as the Solidarity And Trust For A New Day (STAND) organized a large-scale protest, demanding urgent government action on key national issues.

The protest, led by STAND Chairman Mulbah Morlu, was staged to petition President Joseph Boakai over citizens’ grievances, including economic hardship, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and rising drug abuse.

Demonstrators staged a long march from Congo Town to Capitol Hill, drawing hundreds of participants and disrupting business, schools, and traffic along the route.

However, Morlu and his team were blocked from entering the grounds of the Executive Mansion, prompting heightened tensions with security personnel.

Police officers responded to the standoff by deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd, resulting in chaotic scenes on the streets surrounding the Capitol.

In a statement following the incident, Mulbah Morlu called for the immediate release of protesters reportedly detained by the Liberia National Police (LNP), condemning the arrests as unconstitutional.

“Demand for the Immediate Release of Unlawfully Arrested Peaceful Protesters,” Morlu said. “These are innocent citizens, seized and detained with no lawful basis. Their arrest represents an assault on constitutional rights and peaceful assembly.”

Morlu also called for the return of a PA system vehicle impounded at LNP Headquarters, insisting that peaceful protest is not a crime and that the government must cease intimidation and repression.

He accused the Boakai administration of undermining Liberia’s democracy and fundamental freedoms, warning that lawlessness must end immediately.

The statement listed eleven individuals allegedly detained during the protest, including Fred D. Weah, Tukee Swaray, Otis Nyanpah, Kaiyea Deh, and Mardia James, among others, and demanded their immediate release.

Meanwhile, a vehicle operator has accused protesters led by Morlu of vandalizing his car during the demonstration.

The operator claimed that, while traveling on Jallah Town Road, stones thrown by the protesters shattered the vehicle’s front, rear, and passenger-side windshields.

The car, bearing a Government of Liberia license plate number 6642, was reportedly damaged during the protest march.

The accusation adds to the controversy surrounding the STAND protest, highlighting tensions between demonstrators and bystanders affected by the march.

Despite the clashes, STAND maintains that their actions were entirely peaceful and aimed at drawing attention to pressing national issues.

Observers noted that the protest underscores growing public frustration with government performance and service delivery in Liberia.

Civil society leaders called for dialogue between STAND organizers and government officials to avoid further escalation and to ensure that citizen grievances are addressed constructively.

Law enforcement officials stated they acted to maintain order and protect public property during the protest, emphasizing the need for peaceful demonstrations.

The situation develops, attention remains on the fate of the detained protesters and the government’s response to both the arrests and the accusations of property damage.