By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

As thousands of Liberians prepare to take to the streets today for a nationwide protest against economic hardship and governance issues, the demonstration is unfolding amidst divided public opinion, with some prominent youth and civil society groups urging caution and distancing themselves from the action.

The protest, dubbed “The Day of the People” under the rallying cry “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” is spearheaded by Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND). Chairman and lead advocate Mulbah K. Morlu Jr., a former National Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), has been a vocal proponent. Morlu, who resigned from the CDC on June 18, 2024, to lead STAND as a “non-political civil society and advocacy organization,” insists the protest aims to force urgent government reforms on issues ranging from skyrocketing living costs and stagnant wages to lawlessness and alleged impunity. He has vowed a peaceful assembly of thousands of Liberians.

However, not all civil society actors are in full alignment. The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), through its Chairperson Madam Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai, has publicly stated its non-association with the protest. While acknowledging the constitutional right to demonstrate, the NCSCL urged citizens to prioritize national peace and security, advocating for dialogue and legal avenues over confrontation. Similarly, the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL), led by Emmanuel Gonquoi, distanced itself on July 10, characterizing the demonstration as lacking clarity and being rooted in “lost privileges” rather than substantive national concerns.

Despite Morlu’s past leadership role in the CDC, the CDC party itself is not officially organizing the July 17 protest. The demonstration is a civil society initiative, though it is widely anticipated that many participants will be supporters and partisans of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change. This distinction highlights the grassroots nature of the discontent, separate from official party directives. The day’s events are set to test the balance between public expression and national stability in Liberia.