MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Government of Liberia says it has not received request from a group under the banner: ‘Council of Patriots’, to stage a protest in Monrovia.
The group had planned to protest on the grounds of the National Legislature on Capitol Hill, beginning Monday, November 16, 2020.
But the Liberian Government, through the Minister of Information, Ledgerhood Rennie, said:” There had been no notice of such protest to the Government, including the National Legislature.”
Minister Rennie said Government remains committed to upholding the fundamental right to peaceful assembly, but in keeping with law.
According to Minister Rennie, no authorization has been requested or granted to protesters for a march.
Meanwhile, the Government is calling on the public to go about its normal business, and cautioned potential troublemakers to refrain from testing the limits of the law.
At the same time, the Liberia National Police (LNP) says it successfully dispersed anti-government protesters in Monrovia on Monday, November 16.
Police Spokesman Moses Carter told ELBC Monday, November 16, 2020, that the protesters gathered under the banner: Council of Patriots, without authorization from the Government.
Mr. Carter said: The LNP used what is called conventional force by firing teargas to disperse the protesters.”
According to him, there was no arrest made.
Meanwhile, the LNP Spokesman said there was no injury sustained during the dispersing of the protesters by the police, citing the LNP action as lawful in keeping with its statutory mandate.
