MONROVIA, Liberia – July 8, 2025 – With just over a week until a planned protest slated for July 17, 2025, Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Gregory O. W. Coleman, has issued a strong caution to Liberians, particularly the organizers, emphasizing the critical need for adherence to the law to ensure public safety and order.
In a live stream on his social media platform on July 7, 2025, IG Coleman urged the planners of the July 17 demonstration to formally seek permission from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). This crucial step, he explained, allows authorities to deploy necessary security and protective measures, safeguarding both protestors and non-protestors, as well as businesses.
“With just ten days remaining to the planned July 17 protest, we haven’t received any communication from the planners as to where or how they are going to gather,” IG Coleman stated, expressing his concern. “It is the police’s responsibility to ensure the safety of every citizen across the country.”
The police chief underscored the organizers’ responsibility for the conduct of participants. “It is my hope that the organizers have told those that will be involved to remain peaceful and not to damage people’s properties because anything that goes wrong, the planners will be held responsible,” he warned. He also issued a stern directive to individuals contemplating bringing illegal weapons to the protest: “Don’t bring it along.”
IG Coleman acknowledged the constitutional right of every citizen to protest peacefully but stressed that these rights must remain within the confines of the law. He affirmed that should the protest turn violent, the LNP would be present to protect, guide, and maintain law and order, and would “restore order immediately within the confines of the law.”
Reassuring the general public, Coleman encouraged citizens to proceed with their normal daily activities. “All citizens should go about their normal business, because protest in this country has become a normal routine,” he said. “Schools should remain open, children can move freely, and people should continue their work. It’s obvious that traffic disruptions will occur, but we can assure the safety of everyone.”
The Police boss further committed that once the police receive official communication regarding the protest’s details, they will promptly inform the public. He encouraged citizens to follow the LNP’s social media pages and other local news outlets for updates.
Director Coleman reaffirmed the LNP’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and upholding the dignity of every person in the country. He emphasized the LNP’s dedication to the democratic process and its readiness to provide adequate protection for all citizens.
This pronouncement comes as Liberia navigates a period of heightened social and political awareness, where public demonstrations serve as a key avenue for expressing grievances and demands. The LNP’s proactive stance aims to prevent any potential escalation of protests into unrest, ensuring that the right to peaceful assembly is exercised responsibly and without jeopardizing the safety and well-being of the wider community.