Monrovia – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has acknowledged and counseled famend human rights lawyer and statesman, Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe, for his open letter from wherein he revisits a pivotal second in Liberia’s political historical past via the lens of the late Albert Porte’s seminal article, “The Day Monrovia Stood Nonetheless.”
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The letter, described by the PUL as “thought-provoking and well timed,” critiques the persistent abuse of political energy in Liberia and attracts sobering parallels between previous and current governance failures. Cllr. Gongloe shared the article alongside his reflections to lift consciousness concerning the enduring menace posed by what he phrases “the conceitedness of energy.”
Albert Porte’s “The Day Monrovia Stood Nonetheless”—written in Might 1979—provides a firsthand account of the April 14, 1979 rice riots. It chronicles how protests over a proposed enhance within the worth of a 30kg bag of rice turned violent, resulting in deaths and the destruction of property value tens of millions. Porte, a towering determine in Liberian journalism and civil activism, held the federal government accountable for failing to take cheap, preventative measures that might have averted the tragedy.
In his letter, Cllr. Gongloe emphasised the persevering with relevance of Porte’s message. “The existence of the conceitedness of energy is a menace to peace and the upkeep of a secure social order in any nation,” he wrote. “From current and present actions of political actors, the failure of purpose to prevail at vital instances in Liberia nonetheless continues.”
He added, “Usually, what was unsuitable yesterday is unsuitable in the present day and could also be unsuitable tomorrow.”
Cllr. Gongloe’s reflections draw a direct line from the occasions of 1979 to present-day governance challenges, warning that with out significant introspection and reform, Liberia dangers repeating the errors of its previous.
The April 14 protest, organized by the Progressive Alliance of Liberia (PAL) underneath the management of Gabriel Baccus Matthews, was sparked by a controversial rise in rice costs and the federal government’s insistence on permits for peaceable demonstrations, regardless of constitutional protections for the appropriate to assemble. The protest devolved into chaos after safety forces cracked down, leading to widespread casualties and injury.
In recognition of the article’s historic significance and Cllr. Gongloe’s efforts to advertise vital reflection, the PUL has posted the total textual content of The Day Monrovia Stood Nonetheless on its bulletin board for public entry.
PUL President Julius Kanubah praised Cllr. Gongloe’s initiative, saying, “We applaud Cllr. Gongloe for reigniting a nationwide dialog about accountability, civic accountability, and the position of reminiscence in shaping Liberia’s future.”
Cllr. Gongloe, a lifelong advocate for press freedom and the rule of regulation, additionally served as a panelist at this 12 months’s World Press Freedom Day, hosted by the PUL. In the course of the occasion, he spoke on the theme “Sustaining Impartial Journalism and Press Freedom within the Digital Age,” highlighting the media’s position in catalyzing social transformation.
“Journalists have an essential position to play in spearheading the social transformation of society by creating consciousness concerning the virtues and vices the general public must know,” he stated in his letter. “By informing folks about good actions which have contributed to nationwide progress, they’re impressed to do good. Conversely, exposing dangerous actions will help deter related errors. The result’s more likely to be sustained peace, progress, and prosperity protected by the rule of regulation.”
The PUL echoed this sentiment, reiterating its dedication to selling media freedom and inspiring the general public to interact with Liberia’s historical past as a device for civic training and democratic reform.
Albert Porte’s article had been republished from The Voices of Protest, a set by Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, and had been initially posted by the Historic Preservation Society of Liberia.
In his concluding enchantment, Gongloe urged the letter be extensively shared amongst Liberian journalists and members of the general public: “Please share this letter as extensively as doable among the many journalists of Liberia. I’m sending it to some journalists additionally.”
