US Advises Against July 24 Protest …As GoL Denies Receiving Request For Permit

U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Christine Elder, says while the Embassy supports the rights of citizens to lawfully apply to assemble or convey their views to elected officials, the intent to do so during the week of July 22 is misplaced. In a statement issued on July 18 Amb. Elder said, for a group which avows that patriotism remains central to their efforts to stage such actions as they have outlined during independence celebrations, would instead convey a lack of commitment to national development.
According to Elder, the U.S. Embassy’s advice comes after reading with interest the statement of the Council of Patriots (COP) which was issued on July 12 announcing their intent to stage a nationwide protest beginning July 24.
The U.S. Embassy’s responds was directed at the portion of the COP press release calling on the international community to join a march planned for the week of the Independence celebrations and beyond.
“We commend the peaceful conduct of thousands of protestors who by their actions on June 7 conveyed they are interested in progress and national dialogue over aggression or demands but ideally, events surrounding the upcoming national celebrations should be devoid of partisan promotion or posturing and focus instead on working together for the common good of the Liberian people,” the Embassy recommended.
Meanwhile, the Council of Patriots announced that it has officially notified the government through the Ministry of Justice of its planned nation-wide protest in Liberia.
Mohammed Ali made the disclosure via mobile on Wednesday when he submitted COP’s communication under his signature and approved by Henry Costa on July 17 to the Ministry of Justice which according to him was received by an employee of the Ministry identified as James Teah.
He told the public that the COP was exercising its constitutional right as enshrined under Article 17 of the Liberia Constitution that calls for a peaceful assembly nationwide beginning July 24, and continuing beyond.
COP assured that the assembly was a follow-up action to its historic June 7 assembly intended to ensure that their demands as contained in its petition expected to be before President George Weah for action.
However, during the regular press briefing of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism yesterday, the Deputy Minister, Eugene Fahngon rubbished the announcement by COP stating that the government has received no such notice.