“Day of the People” — The Rise of the Suffering Masses: Liberia’s Streets Echo With the Cry for a New Beginning
- Michael T
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Monrovia, July 17, 2025 – Under a heavy downpour of rain, thousands of Liberians took to the streets of Monrovia, rallying around the urgent cry for “Justice, Dignity, and a New Liberia.” The event, organized as “The Day of the People” by the civil society group Solidarity Trust for a New Day (STAND), drew in diverse groups, including market vendors, students, health professionals, bikers, and civil servants. Their collective goal was to reclaim a voice for the suffering masses, reflecting deep frustration with ongoing hardship and what many see as official betrayal.
The day’s central grievances revolved around allegations of rampant corruption and impunity among high-ranking government officials. Protesters openly named ministers and agency chiefs they accused of abusing public resources and demanded their immediate removal, investigation, and prosecution. As one nurse from Sinkor put it, “We are tired of watching our leaders grow richer while our children go hungry and our hospitals remain empty,” capturing the mood of those assembled.
Beyond corruption, the demonstrators stressed the collapse of public services. Placards spoke to the struggles of underpaid civil servants, deteriorating schools, and hospitals unable to administer even the most basic care. Among the demands was a decent minimum wage for civil servants and a comprehensive overhaul of the healthcare sector.
Accusations of police brutality and human rights abuses formed a core part of the protest. The crowd called for the resignation and prosecution of Police Chief Gregory Coleman, citing illegal detentions, violent crackdowns on peaceful gatherings, and unresolved deaths, such as the recent Kinjor massacre. Throughout the day, chants and speeches denounced police excesses and demanded justice for victims.
Judicial independence and rule of law also emerged as critical concerns. Organizers accused ruling elites of manipulating the courts to silence dissenters and punish critics, insisting on full judicial independence and greater transparency in handling politically sensitive cases.
A particularly poignant grievance was the glaring disparity between the privileged lives of government officials and the daily struggles of ordinary Liberians. Protesters decried officials’ luxury travel and lavish lifestyles in stark contrast to the hardships faced by the “everyday hustlers” who constitute the country’s majority.
Despite security forces setting up barriers around key government buildings, the peaceful and disciplined demonstration continued to press forward. Organizers, led by STAND Chairman Mulbah Morlu, insisted that their petition be delivered directly to President Joseph Boakai. The protest concluded with a clear outline of demands: immediate action on corruption, independent audits of state agencies, protection for communities facing displacement, significant investment in healthcare and public services, the prosecution of abusive police, and expanded opportunities for youth and civil servants, all within a 14-day ultimatum.
With the eyes of both the nation and the international community on Monrovia, this demonstration stands as a pivotal moment for Liberia’s democratic future. While it remains to be seen whether these demands will lead to structural reforms or be absorbed by the status quo, the message from Liberia’s streets was unmistakable: “We are tired. We demand a New Liberia.”
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Additional Sources
: FrontPageAfrica. (2025, July 17). Liberia: ‘Day of the People’ Protest Sees Thousands Demand Justice and Reform. Retrieved from https://frontpageafricaonline.com: The New Dawn Liberia. (2025, July 17). STAND (Solidarity Trust for a New Day) Leads Mass ‘Day of the People’ Protest in Monrovia. https://thenewdawnliberia.com: AfricaNews. (2025, July 17). Liberian Protesters Demand Action Against Corruption and Impunity. https://africanews.com: Amnesty International. (2025, July). Liberia: String of Police Abuses Sparks Uproar Amid Mass Demonstration. https://amnesty.org
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