BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – This past weekend, partisans of the Liberty Party joined together with residents of Grand Bassa to stage a night of candlelight vigil commemorating the death of the political institution’s founder and revered son of the county, Charles Walker Brumskine.

Leaders and members of the Collaborating Political Parties, a coalition of opposition political groups of which Brumskine was a part, also participated and observed the event.

The night vigil took place in Buchanan and drew hundreds of sympathizers and well-wishers from around the county and beyond, including from the capital, Monrovia.

The event started with a parade along the principal streets of Buchanan, commencing at Roberts Street and moving towards the headquarters of the Liberty Party at the Pipeline Junction in Buchanan.

The crowd donned Liberty Party t-shirts and paraphernalia, with each man, woman, and child clutching tightly to lit candles. Many grieved openly, profusely shedding tears, while others tried in vain to resist it.

The crowd was mournful but equally celebratory.

At the party’s sub-office in Buchanan, Liberty Party’s political leader, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence of Grand Bassa, resisted in vain to control her tears. She was overwhelmed with grief that prevented her from uttering a word. The party’s secretary-general, Jacob Smith, was, therefore, called upon to speak on the party’s behalf.

In his equally mournful remarks, Smith spoke of Brumskine’s life and aspirations for the party and his people. He urged partisans and citizens of the county to keep alive Brumskine’s dreams, just as they are keeping alight the candlesticks in their hands.

“Today, the vision that Cllr. Brumskine had should not die; that vision that we all stood behind should not be quenched, let us not allow it, fellow Liberty Partisans. People of Grand Bassa, let us not allow Cllr. Brumskine’s vision to die,” he said.

Smith said Liberians have reasons to rejoice because their support for Brumskine and the party has not been in vain, as Brumskine lived a life of purpose and principles, which all Liberians are proud of.

Smith continued: “I challenge all of us, as we assemble here tonight for this candle night ceremony, let it be a new beginning. Let it be an encouragement to move ahead with the vision. On behalf of the political leader and on behalf of the national executive committee, we want to thank all of you for coming.”

He informed the crowd of the plan of activities leading to Brumskine’s internment on Dec. 14 in Upper Buchanan.

Also speaking at the event on behalf of the former ruling Unity Party was Julia Bundo, who lamented how Liberia had lost a great son by Brumskine’s passing. She then called on Liberians to unite in celebration of Brumskine’s life and legacy.

Also in attendance were Grand Bassa’s Senator Jonathan Kaipay and the former representative of Grand Bassa’s fourth district, Byron Browne.

Featured photo by Sampson David