The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
May 10, 2019

April 14, 1979 - Monrovia, Liberia

The scars of the wrath of the 1979 rice price-hiked demonstration are still visible ubiquitously four decades later. Let that be our shepherd as we stumble toward the impending demonstration.
The nation is gripped with uncertainty and anxiousness about the oncoming tropical storm --- the looming June political demonstration.   The experience of the 1979 deadly rice protest should be a strong moral compelling reason and impetus to engage the government and the advocates of the impending demonstration to ensure a peaceful exercise of constitutional rights.

Liberians at home are gearing up or laying the groundwork to exercise one of their basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution – the right of the people peaceably to assemble for the redress of grievances.  The government should in no way attempt to thwart or contravene the people’s constitutional rights to peaceably assemble to petition for redress of concerns. It should only ensure that the assembly is peaceful and to protect lives and private property.  Any effort to do the opposite will contravene Article 7 of the constitution: All persons, at all times, in an orderly and peaceable manner, shall have the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the Government or other functionaries for the redress of grievances and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate in political parties, trade unions and other organizations..   The result would be a constitutional crisis, a crisis that is not fought with ideas (as in the West), but with blood in the streets.  Remember the 1979 deadly rice riot.

Passing on the corruption legacy

The impending June demonstration is called for as a result of the Sirleaf and Weah government failure to live up to Article 17 of the Constitution: The Republic shall, consistent with the principles of individual freedom and social justice enshrined in this Constitution, manage the national economy and the natural resources of Liberia in such manner as shall ensure the maximum feasible participation of Liberian citizens under conditions of equality as to advance the general welfare of the Liberian people and the economic development of Liberia. Under the Weah government, the economic woes are fast moving from despair toward calamity and the government seems clueless as to what to do.  The most imminent economic danger to the country is the fluctuation of commodity prices because it affects the poor directly. 

Weah’s cluelessness should not shock us.  We were fully acquainted with his lack of political acumen, and yet we elected him democratically.  His incompetence is not a violation of the constitution and ergo a call for his resignation is unconstitutional.  This is the heavy price of democracy, e.g., Brexit and Donald Trump.

This letter is a plea to all Liberians, descendants of Liberians, and friends of Liberia in the Diasporas to talk to your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and significant others to exercise their constitutional rights of PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY judiciously for the redress of economic despair and corruption.  The demonstration should not be limited to street marches but should include a written MANIFESTO OF GRIEVANCES to be presented to the government, the people of Liberia and the world. To the students of history, April 14, 2019, was the 40th anniversary of the 1979 rice demonstration, a demonstration that will live in infamy.  Let us use our leverage – remittances to influence our brothers and sisters to demonstrate PEACEFULLY.  Moreover, we should speak to our friends in the government (Executive and Legislators) to act on the PEOPLE’s MANIFESTO.  Liberian economists at home and abroad should work to convene an economic conference to discuss a Liberian Economic GPS.

To the government of Liberia (the Executive and Legislature), you have a short window of opportunity to present to the people of Liberia an ECONOMIC AGENDA that will address Article 7 of the constitution, especially the commodity price fluctuation.   Second, fire the Minister of Finance immediately. Third, the government needs to come clean about the missing millions of dollars that is fueling the impending demonstration.  The Republic is at the edge of an abyss; do not squander this opportunity to constitutionally thwart the looming demonstration to save the Republic.  This is a moral responsibility and duty of all Liberians.  We cannot, and must not reprise 1979.

LET US ALL REMEMBER THE 1979 RICE PRICE HIKE DEMONSTRATION AND THE AFTERMATH: MILITARY COUP AND THE SUBSEQUENT CIVIL STRIFE.

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About the Author: J. Patrick Flomo can be reached at: jpflomo@outlook.com and 614 707 3636

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