Women Flood Monrovia Streets Over Toni Jackson’s Death, Demand End to Silence on Abuse

Sinkor Liberia: A group of women took to the streets of Monrovia on Monday, calling for justice in the death of Toni Jackson and urging authorities to take stronger steps against violence affecting women across the country.

Wearing black, the demonstrators marched from the University of Liberia toward central Monrovia before ending at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police. Along the way, they displayed placards and chanted messages focused on safety, accountability, and support for victims.

At the police headquarters, the group submitted a petition outlining their concerns and demands.

Toni Jackson, a South African national and spouse of economist Samuel Jackson, died after being taken to hospital with serious injuries. She was first admitted at Catholic Hospital and later transferred to John F. Kennedy Medical Center for further treatment but did not survive.

Authorities began an investigation after her death was reported by an associate of the family, who also raised concerns about alleged past abuse. Police have since identified Samuel Jackson as a person of interest in the case.

Participants in Monday’s march said the incident highlights a wider issue affecting many women in Liberia. They stressed that cases of abuse are often not addressed early, leaving victims at risk.

Some survivors shared personal experiences, describing situations where they were encouraged to remain in abusive relationships rather than seek help. Others said complaints are sometimes handled informally within families instead of being reported to law enforcement.

Advocates also pointed to challenges outside the capital, where access to police, healthcare, and support services remains limited, making it harder for victims to get assistance.

In their petition, the protesters called for a thorough investigation into Toni Jackson’s death, stronger enforcement of existing laws on domestic violence, improved protection services, and the establishment of a specialized court to handle family-related cases.

Liberia’s Domestic Violence Act, passed in 2019, was intended to strengthen protection for victims, but campaigners say gaps in implementation continue to affect its impact.

Receiving the petition, Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman acknowledged the need for improvement in handling such cases. He said measures are being planned to strengthen response, including additional training for officers, increased staffing in protection units, and better systems to monitor cases.

The demonstration ended peacefully, with organizers emphasizing the need for sustained attention to the issue and concrete action from authorities.