MONROVIA – The Liberia National Police (LNP) responded to a peaceful protest on the campus of the University of Liberia (UL) with excessive force leaving several students injured.
The incident has sparked outrage among the student body and raised concerns about the use of violence to suppress peaceful demonstrations under two months of the Joseph Boakai government.
The protest, organized by the Progressive Student Alliance (PROSA), aimed to call on the new Boakai-led government and UL’s administration to address the ongoing closure of the university. Students have been demanding the reopening of UL to resume their studies, as the extended closure has severely disrupted their academic progress.
Eyewitnesses report that the LNP, instead of engaging in dialogue with the protesters, resorted to violence, leading to the unnecessary loss of lives and brutalization of peaceful demonstrators. The identities of the deceased comrades have not been disclosed at this time, but their untimely deaths have left the entire student community in mourning, said one student.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from various student organizations, human rights activists, and members of the public, who are calling for a thorough investigation into the actions of the LNP.
They argue that peaceful protests are a fundamental right and should be met with understanding and dialogue, rather than force.
The University of Liberia has been closed for an extended period, exacerbating the frustrations and concerns of the students. The closure has disrupted their education and future prospects, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.
The PROSA protesters, motivated by their desire to see the university reopen, had hoped to peacefully engage with the government and UL’s administration to find a solution to the ongoing crisis.
The tragic events at the University of Liberia highlight the need for peaceful dialogue and respect for the rights of students to express their grievances. As the nation mourns the loss of these two comrades, it is crucial that the incident is thoroughly investigated, and those responsible for the unnecessary use of force are held accountable.
The grieving families and the student body deserve justice, and it is imperative that steps are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The government and UL’s administration must prioritize the concerns of the students and work towards a peaceful resolution that allows the university to reopen, ensuring the continuity of education for thousands of students. Efforts to get the police side failed. Moses Carter, the Spokesman if Police could not be reached.
