Liberia: Monrovia Goes Green As UP Partisans Defy Heavy Downpour of Rain to Attend Grand Rally
MONROVIA – Loyal partisans and supporters of the opposition Unity Party (UP), duped the “Rescue Mission”, are defying the heavy downpour of rain across Monrovia and its surroundings and are trooping into the Antoinette Tubman Sports Stadium downtown Monrovia for the official launch of the UP campaign.
This comes as the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) held its launch at the same venue ten days later and was attended by a mammoth crowd.
While the CDC launched on a Thursday, the UP opted to launch on Sunday, a day of worship for many Christians who made up the majority of the Liberian population. By choosing Sunday, the UP mirrored their launch after popular Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon, duped the “The Light,” who launched his 2020 Senatorial campaign on a Sunday, drawing a mammoth crowd that subsequently voted him resoundingly. Dillon is a staunch supporter of the UP, and supporters are hoping to repeat his 2020 feat.
Meanwhile, the buildup to the launch was marred by heavy downpour of rain, but partisans and supporters of the UP, dressed in their party’s regalia including its green and white colors, assembled at various designated spots for the grand match to the ATS.
The Octopus-styled gathering at the ATS is already gaining momentum with a massive crowd. In one of the live feeds, organizers were appealing to supporters to exit the stage the former Vice President and other officials will be speaking from.
In a release, the rally’s organizers designated SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville as the takeoff spot for Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai, duped Rescue – 1, while Rescue – 2, Senator Jeremiah Koung is leading the match from Police Academy Junction in Paynesville.
The Rescue Mother and Campaign Chairperson, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is leading the match from the Nigerian Embassy at the Old Road Junction in Congo Town, Campaign Manager, Senator Prince K. Moye Jr. of Bong County is leading supporters from 72nd Junction in Paynesville.
Montserrado Campaign Chairman, Senator Abe Darius Dillon, along with Montserrado Senatorial Aspirant Wilmot Paye are leading supporters from Barnersville Junction on the Japan Freeway to the ATS.
The partisans heeded to the call and earlier Sunday Morning, assembled at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, one of the designated spots to await the Unity Party Standard Bearer, former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to lead the match to the ATS.
“I want an old person to be the president. We don’t want a young boy to lead us. Boakai has stayed in government for a long time. He knows what to do to make the citizens happy. He has the experience, a staunch UP supporters said.
K-News’ senior reporter Emmanuel Toe who is providing live coverage for the match from the SKD to ATS said a large crowd assembled early to await the UP-Standard Bearer.
An elderly woman (name not disclose), matching along with the UP-Standard Bearer, said it was time to change the current government headed by George Manneh Weah.
“We have tried a young person, and we know we made a mistake. So, we want to correct that mistake now. That’s why we are voting for Boakai. Age does not matter. What matters is the experience and ability to lead and deliver for the people.”
Another supporter, Matthew Brown said: “Everything has gone from bad to worse. Drugs are killing our children, poverty is high. No future. Enough is enough.”
Large crowd, made of predominantly young people sang pro-Boakai songs and chanted: “Our Pa (father) sorry, we made mistakes.”
At the ATS, supporters gathered there early Sunday Morning and held a praise and worship service, dancing and sinking traditional Liberian Gospel songs.
By Rachel Saykiamien and Winifred Sackor
