The Executive Committee of WE THE PEOPLE, a civic organization based in Monrovia, has publicly distanced itself from an upcoming protest reportedly being organized under its name by Mr. Mulbah K. Morlu, Chairman of the political movement STAND.
In an official statement released on Sunday, Chairman John A. Ballout Jr. clarified that WE THE PEOPLE has no affiliation with the planning, coordination, or promotion of the protest being spearheaded by Mr. Morlu. The organization emphasized that any attempt to link it to the event is unauthorized and misleading.
“We wish to make it unequivocally clear that WE THE PEOPLE is not affiliated with the planning, coordination, or promotion of this protest,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the democratic rights of all Liberians and civil society actors to freely assemble and express dissent, the Executive Committee took issue with what it called the “unauthorized use” of its name in mobilization efforts for the planned protest.
The statement directly called on Mr. Morlu to immediately cease the use of the WE THE PEOPLE name and urged him to instead proceed under the banner of STAND, the platform he is formally associated with.
“WE THE PEOPLE remains an independent body with its own identity and agenda,” the release continued. “Any future position or action taken by our organization will be communicated directly and through our official channels.”
The organization also warned the public against participating in or supporting any activities being promoted under its name by Mr. Morlu, describing such actions as unauthorized and deceptive.
This public rebuttal highlights the growing tensions and identity concerns among civic and political groups in Liberia, particularly as protest actions continue to gain momentum in various quarters of society.
Efforts to reach Mr. Morlu for comment were unsuccessful by press time.
