MONROVIA – The Vanguard Student Unification Party (SUP) has accused the Liberia National Police (LNP) of unleashing violence against peaceful protesters and unlawfully entering the University of Liberia’s Capitol Hill Campus during the recent Jobs and Justice protest, describing the incidents as a serious attack on democracy, academic freedom, and constitutional rights.
In a statement issued Monday, July 27, 2026, SUP alleged that police officers used excessive force against demonstrators who had gathered to demand jobs, justice, accountability, and the unconditional release of imprisoned jurors.
The student-based political movement claimed the protest was peaceful until security forces intervened, accusing the government of responding to legitimate public grievances with violence rather than dialogue.
“The brutal assault by officers of the Liberia National Police and the unlawful invasion of the Capitol Hill Campus represent a dangerous escalation in the state’s campaign to suppress democratic dissent and intimidate citizens exercising their constitutional rights,” the statement said.
SUP argued that the University of Liberia’s Capitol Hill Campus has historically served as a center for intellectual freedom and democratic activism, warning that the reported entry of armed security personnel onto the campus threatens the independence of academic institutions across the country.
According to the organization, the alleged actions of the police go beyond targeting protesters and instead strike at the principles of free expression and peaceful political engagement that universities have traditionally protected.
The movement further accused law enforcement officers of using indiscriminate force against unarmed demonstrators, describing the reported conduct as both unlawful and morally unacceptable.
Rather than ensuring public safety during the protest, SUP claimed police resorted to intimidation and excessive force against citizens advocating for improved living conditions, employment opportunities, and greater government accountability.
The organization also expressed solidarity with protesters, students, and supporters who it said suffered injuries, harassment, or arbitrary treatment during the operation. It praised demonstrators for remaining committed to their demands despite what it characterized as state intimidation.
SUP maintained that history has repeatedly shown that force cannot silence movements seeking justice and democratic reform.
Among its key demands, the organization called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the conduct of security personnel involved in the protest response and the reported entry onto the University of Liberia campus.
The group insisted that any officers found responsible for acts of brutality or misconduct should be held accountable under Liberian law.
SUP also urged the Government of Liberia to reaffirm its commitment to constitutional governance by respecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and political participation while safeguarding the autonomy of institutions of higher learning.
Additionally, the organization demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all protesters, students, cadres, militants, and supporters arrested during the demonstration.
The movement described the arrests as arbitrary and unconstitutional, arguing that the continued detention of those arrested violates their rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression.
SUP rejected what it called attempts to criminalize peaceful democratic dissent and cautioned authorities against using arrests as a political tool to discourage public criticism of government policies.
“The Government of Liberia and the Liberia National Police must immediately release all those unlawfully detained, drop any unfounded charges against them, and cease the persecution of citizens whose only offence was peacefully demanding jobs, justice, accountability, and a dignified future,” the statement asserted.
The statement was signed by Cephas Noring, Chairman of SUP’s Bureau of Propaganda, Research and Guidance, and approved by SUP Chairman Odecious Mulbah.
The Liberia National Police had not publicly responded to SUP’s allegations at the time of publication. Smart News Liberia will seek the police’s response to the claims to provide readers with a balanced account of the events.
