During the Thursday, July 17, 2025, “Enough is enough” protest, demonstrators demanded that President Joseph N. Boakai immediately dismiss the Liberia National Police (LNP) Inspector General, Gregory Coleman, citing alleged human rights abuses.
The group, in their petition, read by Titus Togba, accuses the police chief of orchestrating fatal actions that allegedly led to the deaths of some Liberian citizens. The protesters also alleged that Inspector General Coleman should be held responsible for a pattern of extrajudicial killings, including the deaths of unarmed civilians in various incidents.
Naming some victims, Togba recalled high-profile tragedies such as the Kinjor massacre in Grand Cape Mount County, where multiple civilians were reportedly killed on February 28, 2024, and a series of suspicious deaths under police custody since President Boakai assumed office on January 24, 2024.
The statement alleges that the LNP, under Coleman, has failed to conduct proper investigations, leading to impunity in at least 178 cases of unexplained deaths, many involving supporters of the opposition party, Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), with some even wearing party regalia at the time of their deaths.
The protesters echoed prior calls from opposition parties and civic groups, including the CDC, which have long urged Boakai’s administration to hold key security officials accountable for alleged abuses. Also, the protesting group demanded the removal of Sam Gaye, Director of the Executive Protection Service, and Prince C. Johnson II, Director-General of the National Security Agency, citing allegations of brutality, corruption, and rights violations. Meanwhile, in their petition, the protesters set a 72-hour deadline for the dismissal of Inspector General Coleman and threatened unspecified action if the Liberian leader did not comply.
The group also announced plans to appeal to international bodies, including the United Nations and regional organizations, to press for external intervention if no action is taken. “The 72-hour period granted to President Boakai expires on July 20, 2025. Should the administration fail to remove Inspector General Coleman or address the underlying grievances, civil groups warn of possible mass mobilizations or the formation of unauthorized protective structures,” the protesters noted.
Buildup to The Protest Ahead of the much-publicized “Enough is enough” protest, the city was gripped with panic, as many feared that the reported “mass” nature of the gathering would have led to chaos between state security officers and the protesters, with many calling for respect for the rule of law and the protection of the rights of citizens.
According to the organizers of the protest, the Solidarity Trust for A New Day (STAND), it was intended to confront ‘a worsening governance crisis, rule of law violations, deepening economic hardship, and continued corruption in government.’
The protest announcement gained more attention when some political groups and institutions began distancing themselves from the protest, while others, including the major opposition party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), pledged their support, which has amplified the event’s significance. Days earlier, CDC members were seen in large numbers parading the streets of Monrovia along with the protest organizers, referring to it as a prelude to the main event.
On the other hand, the Liberia National Police, along with other state security agencies, were enhancing their manpower and capacity to manage the upcoming protest and respond effectively to any potential incidents. A significant meeting was held between the police and the protest organizers to ensure that both parties could coordinate their actions clearly and precisely.
The Nature of the Main Gathering Contrary to widespread speculation that the event could turn chaotic—given that similar past protests have led to violence, loss of life, and property damage—the protest on July 17, 2025, remained relatively peaceful. In the early morning hours leading up to the main event, a small misunderstanding occurred between some protesters gathering at the CDC headquarters in Congo Town and drivers using that route. This misunderstanding resulted in damage to the windshields of two cars. However, before the situation could escalate, law enforcement officers arrived on the scene, diffused the tension, and restored order.
The Attendance There were expectations that the city would be locked down for the entire day of the protest, likely due to the large number of protesters anticipated. However, on that rainy Thursday, only small, sporadic groups were seen marching from Congo Town to the Capitol Building in Monrovia, where they intended to present a petition to the Government of Liberia. Traffic flowed freely throughout the morning and into the afternoon, with security officers present at major routes and junctions leading to central Monrovia.
