By: Lawrence D Kawala
Monrovia, Liberia — Solidarity & Trust for a New Day ( STAND) of former CDC Chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu has termed the government demolition exercise as a Ruthless War on the Poor and Called on communities to rise up in a nonviolent resistance to stop the bulldozers from demoliting their properties.
Through the release, STAND rejects the government action and said President Boakai is weaponizing the court system to unjustly evict struggling families—while properties of the rich and powerful remain untouched, and named George Kailondo’s Plaza in Congo Town as a classic example of the rich.
"From Congo Town to Cotton Tree, Block ‘A’ on the Robertsfield Highway, from Battery Factory to Bushrod Island, from Newport Street to Neezoe and Somalia Drive, Boakai’s bulldozers are tearing down poor communities, destroying lives and homes without a shred of remorse," STAND stated
Furthermore, the Civil Society organization stated that President Boakai remains silent on the matter and termed his silence as soaked in guilt, which has confirmed what many believed that the government is at war with its own people.
Solidarity & Trust for a New Day ( STAND) noted that the demolition exercise is not land development; as such, it is an assault on the poor, fueled by greed and protected by the impunity of the powerful.
At the same time, STAND urged all Liberians in affected communities to rise up in a peaceful resistance to any bulldozer that will appear to demolish their homes or properties. STAND expressed that every demolition attempt must be met with fierce, united, nonviolent defiance and said affected community should call on STAND to lead the charge of resisting the machines that will want to destroy their places.
Moreover, Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND) called for the immediate release of all peaceful protesters who were unlawfully arrested while defending their communities and termed their detention is a shameful violation of justice and human rights, called on the authorities to end the illegal oppression immediately and restore the dignity of those fighting to protect their homes.
Meanwhile, STAND urged President Boakai to act now, or be remembered as the president who always betrayed his own citizens, adding that the cries of the displaced cannot be ignored.
In The release, STAND appeals to both local and international relief organizations to extend assistance to internally displaced persons and families affected by home demolitions, as they endure ongoing and difficult living conditions.
"As we march toward the July 17th “Enough is Enough” Protest, let this serve as a rallying cry: The Day of the People is coming. We will not back down. We will fight peacefully but powerfully for justice, equity, and true Land Reform, a core pillar of the JULY REVOLUTION," STAND informed the government through its press release.
