July 17 protesters under the banner “Enough is Enough” poured onto the streets of Monrovia under Thursday’s daylong downpour of rain as they marched toward Capitol Hill to demand swift action from the government.
Led by Mulbah K. Morlu, Chairman of the Solidarity and Trust for A New Day (STAND), the protesters presented a petition outlining several grievances and issued a 14-day ultimatum to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration.
“If the President does not respond to our demands within 14 days, we will return,” Morlu declared after delivering the petition, emphasizing that the protest was peaceful but purposeful.
He was joined by former Representative Acarous Moses Gray and other allies as they moved through Tubman Boulevard, rallying a large crowd of citizens who echoed calls for accountability and reform.
Despite the persistent rain, demonstrators were undeterred. They chanted anti-government slogans and carried banners calling for justice and change.
Many said the protest symbolized a breaking point for ordinary Liberians who can no longer bear the weight of economic hardship, injustice, and government indifference.
Protest organizers say the rising prices of basic commodities such as rice and medicine have made daily survival a struggle for most Liberians. They accused top officials, including Patrick Honnah, Dukuly, Piah, and Kruah, of living in luxury while the masses suffer.
The worsening exchange rate, now reportedly at 202 Liberian dollars to one U.S. dollar, has further eroded purchasing power and deepened poverty across the country.
Protesters argue that the Liberian dollar has lost its value entirely, making it harder for families to meet their daily needs while insiders in the administration enrich themselves with hard currency.
In their petition, protesters also raised concerns about the alleged violation of the Liberian Constitution. They claim the current administration disregards the law, undermining the country’s democratic foundation. Another major grievance is the issue of police brutality.
Protesters say the Liberia National Police, under Inspector General Gregory Coleman, has become a repressive tool used to silence critics and intimidate dissenters.
The protesters lamented that education has become inaccessible due to unaffordable tuition fees, accusing the government of failing to support schools and denying children their future.
They also pointed to mysterious killings and what they described as increasing political imprisonment, warning that fear and repression are becoming the hallmarks of President Boakai’s rule.
Adding to the public outrage is the revelation that directors and chairpersons of state-owned enterprises are reportedly earning over $15,000 USD monthly, while the country’s hospitals remain poorly equipped and schools are in ruins.
Protesters say this is a glaring example of misaligned priorities and insensitivity to the daily suffering of Liberians.
The “Enough is Enough” protest is the latest in a series of mounting challenges to the Boakai administration, with protesters insisting that this is only the beginning if the government continues to ignore their demands.
They left Capitol Hill peacefully, but with a clear warning: if there is no response within 14 days, they
