Students Unification Party (SUP) Commemorates April 14, 1979 "Rice and Rights Struggle" at Palm Grove Cemetery in Monrovia

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
April 16, 2022

In keeping with the historical and itinerary of progressivism, the militants, ideologues, and veterans of SUP, as well, the Students' Movement, and members of the Progressives community on April 14, 2022, converged at the Palm Grove Cemetery in Central Monrovia to pay homage to the glorious memory of men and women who were murdered during the April 14, 1979 "Rice and Rights Protest."

It can be reminiscence that 43 years ago, conscious Liberians took to the streets to protest against a centralized decision of the Tolbert's regime to increase the price of rice from $22 to $26 -- a decision that triggered the masses to move into history. The protest, however, became bloody predicated on the bankruptcy of the government to not allow the assembly of the people in keeping with their legitimate rights as enshrined in the so-called constitution, then. It's estimated that over 100 people were killed and several arrested and jailed for exercising their constitutional rights. The former was buried in a mass grave while the latter was granted general amnesty after it was recommended by the Brownells Commission.

The cardinal message of the historical day was delivered by Veteran Alaric Tokpah, a venerated struggle icon, and participant of the April 14, 1979 "Rice and Rights Struggle." Delivering his messages of consciousness building, Prof. Alaric Tokpah asserted, "There's no statement we can make here that's more eloquent and more powerful than the statement that has already been made by our Martyrs, the revolutionary progressive Martyrs of Liberia." Prof. Alaric Tokpah also revolutionarily declared the month of April as Progressive Martyr's Month and April 14 each year as Progressive Martyr's Day.

Remarking, the chairman of SUP, Cdr. Mustapha Kemal Ataturk Nuch Kanneh admonished the progressives community to see reason to take care of the Palm Grove Cemetery, especially the spot that bears the mortal remains of members of the Progressives community and the militants of the Vanguard Student Unification Party. "If the Progressive's community doesn't take the initiative to ensure a monument is erected here in honor of victims of April 14, 1979, the Vanguard Students Unification Party will take the initiative" Chairman Kanneh robustly asserted.

The program was climaxed with the laying of a wreath on the spot bearing the mortal remains of victims of the "Rice and Rights Struggle" after which militants of SUP troop their way at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Development on Carey Street to provide sufficient enlightenment for the masses.

"Gwei fei kpeh" - the struggle continues!

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