The Liberia National Police (LNP) appears not to be taking lightly the July 17 Street protest organized by Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), as its Inspector General has warned the protesters against vandalism and the use of illegal weapons.
Delivering a special statement via the official Facebook Page of LNP late Monday evening, July 7, 2025, Gregory O. W. Coleman requested that protesters act within the confines of the law and refrain from engaging in vandalism.
“Those who are planning the protest, I hope that you have spoken to those who will be involved to ask them to remain peaceful. Do not vandalize people’s properties because if anything goes wrong, the planners will be held responsible. Last but not least, those people who have their illegal weapons and plan to bring them to the protest, please don’t bring them. Thank you,” Coleman stated in a rather calm mood.
The Police Inspector General has urged Liberians and residents to conduct their normal businesses and remain calm, noting that in the event the protest becomes violent, “We will restore order immediately within the confines of the law.”
The Police Inspector General asked the organizers of the protest to engage with the Ministry of Justice to obtain a permit and inform law enforcement officers regarding the route they intend to take so that state security can provide adequate protection.
He disclosed that to date, the police have yet to see such engagement with the organizers of the protest. However, STAND, in collaboration with the ‘We the People Movement’ and other allied grassroots organizations, claimed that they have informed the Ministry of Justice of their intent to stage a nationwide three-day peaceful protest from July 15 to 17, 2025.
The protest, operating under the theme “Enough Is Enough,” is intended to confront what organizers describe as a worsening governance crisis, rule of law violations, deepening economic hardship, and continued corruption in government.
STAND emphasized that the planned demonstration falls within the scope of Liberia’s Constitution, particularly Article 17, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. In the wake of the pending protest, Coleman indicated that LNP will continuously commit itself to the protection of life and property, adding, “I would like to encourage everyone to go about their normal businesses because protest in this town has been a routine issue; so we cannot ask you to stay home. School will remain open. Children go to school freely. People can go to work.”
