IPNEWS: Claims and counterclaims have ensued over the used of βLive Bulletsβ during Tuesdayβs clashes involving protesters and officers of the Liberia National Police.
Several Media outlets covering Tuesday, December 17, βππ¨π§π¬ππ¨π© πππ©π’ππ¨π₯ ππ¨ππ€ππ¨π°π§β Protest under the banner βConcern Citizen Movement for the Protection of Constitution, and the Rule of Law in Liberiaβ, claimed that βLive bulletsβ were used during a peaceful protest which later turned violent on Capitol Hill.
IPNEWS Reporter covering the protest report that the protest turned Violent after protesters led by Districts No. 9&10 Representatives Frank Saah Forko and Yekeh Kulubah encountered officers of the Liberia National Police en- route to the main entrance of the capitol building, housing both the premises of the Executive Mansion and the Temple of Justice.
The protesters broke through the ranks of security blockage prompting heavy police force with protesters running in confused direction forcing many along the Jallah’s Town belt which led to an Officer of the LNP badly beaten and arm taken away.
Later, Police authorities told IPNEWS that the officer was responding to treatment at a local health facility in downtown Monrovia. At the moment calm is restored to many parts of the city which was a scene of clashes between protesters and security forces earlier in the day.
Immediately as reports flooded social media about the used of force especially βLive bulletsβ by officers of the Liberia National Police, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Johnathan Fonati Koffa posted: β The right of citizens to peacefully assemble is cardinal. The use of force cannot be callous. Peace is better than war, because life is better than death.β
β “There were no live bullets and we made seventy (70) arrests”, Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman disclosed while addressing the media following the chaotic riots at Capitol Hill.β
Margibi county Senator Nathaniel Fallo McGill further burgess Speaker Koffa concerns sighting that : βIt saddens me to hear that live bullets are being used against peaceful protestors who have gathered to speak out against societal ills. This is unacceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning citizens. Such actions undermine the very principles of democracy and freedom of expression.β
βWe call on the international community to take due note of these violations and ensure that the rights of citizens to peacefully assemble and express themselves are safeguarded.
At the same time, we urge the government, as the superseding authority, to prioritize dialogue with its citizens and fulfill its responsibility to protect the peace. Liberia cannot afford to regress into its ugly past.β
An hour Later the Government of Liberia responded that there was βno live bullets used by officers of the Liberia National Police during the protest.
In a statement issued in Monrovia, Information Minister, πππ«π¨π₯π’π§π¦ππ€ πππππ‘ππ° ππ’ππ‘, stated that there no were fired during protest staged by some Liberians around the Capitol Building on Tuesday as reported by some media entities.
βAs far as the Government is aware and based on briefings from the Joint Security, law enforcement forces employed only non-lethal force to disperse protesters who were blocking the free flow of vehicular traffic and movements, not heeding police instructions, on the Capitol Bye-pass main road, around the seat of the National Legislature.β
βWhile the Government fully respects the rights of citizens to protest, such action must be exercised without violating the rights of others. Responsibly within its powers, the Government assures it will protect the peace, lives and properties of citizens and residents alike and calls on the public to go about their normal activities.β Information Minister πππ«π¨π₯π’π§π¦ππ€ πππππ‘ππ° ππ’ππ‘ stated.
Prior to the governmentβs official statement, Police Inspector General Georgy Coleman rubbished the used of βLive bulletsβ by state security, especially the LNP.
Police IG termed the reports are untrue and warned against inflammatory comments that would undermine the security of the state.
On the heels of the protest, the Chairperson of the Concerned Citizens for the Protection of Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, Janjay Baikpah, told Reporter that today’s gathering is expected to draw thousands of Liberians from all walks of life at the Capitol Building under the theme: White Tuesday β a day for justice and action.
Baikpah urged all concerned Liberians to rise up and demand that the Boakai-led government restore constitutional order and uphold the rule of law.
Meanwhile, former presidential Aid to former President George Manneh Weah, Sekou Kalasco Damaro, and 14 other protesters are now being reminded at the Monrovia Central Prison on charges of βrioting, destruction of properties, Disorderly conduct and possession of lethal weaponβ.
News just coming says, the chairman of the Concerned Citizens for the Protection of Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, Janjay Baikpah, has condemned the used of lethal weapon against peaceful protesters and call for the immediate stepdown of βBoakai-Koungβ government.
Baikpah told news men at a hurriedly arranged press conference that at least 75 peaceful protesters were arrested and are now being detained at various locations including the Monrovia Central Prison.
He stated that mobilization for the βBoakai-Koungβ stepdown campaign has now begun across the country, stressing that the stepdown campaign is no negotiable.
