By Stephen G Fellajuah
The offices of the pro-democracy and civil society organization Solidarity Trust for A New Day (STAND) in Congo Town were found engulfed in flames early Thursday morning, leaving residents shocked and uncertain. The cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue.
The incident sparked immediate panic and anger among some Liberians, who believe the burning of the STAND office is a sign of a troubling political climate.
“This is unacceptable in our beloved country, Liberia. This is just a scary tactic from the government. Are they putting fear in the protesters?” Andrew D. Dolo said.
Another Liberian, Solomone Aminata Kafumba Swaray, expressed concern about the country’s direction, saying, “Weah kept peace in this country throughout his life, but this retired old man will take this country to its dark days if care isn’t taken.”
Speaking in an interview with reporters on Thursday, STAND Chairman and Lead Advocate Mulbah K. Morlu Jr. condemned the incident. They urged opposition leaders to publicly oppose actions he described as undermining democracy and citizens’ rights under the Liberian Constitution.
“Whether it’s Alexander B. Cummings, George Manneh Weah, Nyunblee Karnga Lawrence and all these political leaders, it’s time to stand up and speak up. We will not be silent about these intimidations,” he declared.
He called on Liberians to unite in patriotism, warning that the upcoming protest cannot and will not be undermined.
“Go and mobilize, organize, and recruit. We will be out at the Executive Mansion on December 17,” Morlu asserted.
Recently, STAND issued a scathing rebuttal to the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) after the Council called for a ban on the December 17 protest.
In its statement, STAND said the Council has “torn off its last veil of credibility.” The group argued that the LCC’s position only confirms what many Liberians already suspect: that a once-respected institution is now “reduced to a compromised fraternity of corrupt men who have traded principle for privilege, truth for token, and God for gold.”
The statement continued with sharp criticism: “Instead of standing with the underprivileged, the Council now wraps its hands around the Executive Mansion… While the hungry starve, the brutalized bleed, the violated cry out, and the forgotten faint, this Council rushes to sit at the tables of political gluttons.”
STAND described the LCC’s posture as “spiritually bankrupt… drunk on the intoxicating fumes of state power.”
The movement has gained traction amid rising dissatisfaction with the administration of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, particularly regarding: Economic hardship and increasing cost of living, Perceived corruption and impunity, Collapse or neglect of public services, Alleged constitutional violations, High youth unemployment, and Human rights concerns, especially police brutality.
STAND frames its activities as protected under Article 17 of Liberia’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.
On July 17, 2025, STAND and allied groups held the nationwide “Enough Is Enough” protest, one of the largest civic demonstrations of the year.
