MONROVIA, Montserrado – On Tuesday, January 31, the opposition Liberty Party of Charles Walker Brumskine held a grand opening of its party’s headquarters in an event which generated a massive traffic jam.

The party’s central office, which is situated on Tubman Boulevard at Congo Town’s Catholic Junction, drew supporters as early as 8 a.m. Many were wearing white and green caps and t-shirts inscribed with the phrase “together we can do better.”

Several young men and women, referred to as robots, were painted with the party’s color acted and stood still for hours in the sun, with their performance attracting the attention of by passers.

Liberty Party supporters. Photo: Zeze Ballah

The inadequate space at the location, combined with the hot sun, led supporters to find shade at the Don Kan and Aminata filling stations. Others remained exposed to the sun as they listened to music being played out loud.

Some journalists who had gone to cover the event could not enter the yard within the party headquarter because of space constraints.

Liberty Party supporters were often seen crossing the boulevard as they chanted various slogans, which resulted in slow traffic on the street.

The few traffic officers from the Liberia National Police could not control the enthusiastic Liberty Party supporters.

While the police were working to control the traffic jam, some supporters were seen banging onto passing vehicles.

As traffic began to hold, some drivers and passengers became impatient and frustrated.

Liberty Party’s Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence. Photo: Zeze Ballah

One driver, who only spoke anonymously, said the party’s leaders should have known better in terms of securing proper space for its supporters.

“This is complete madness as I’m being held for several minutes in traffic because of improper planning,” the driver said.

He said there is not enough space at the party’s new headquarter to host its supporters.

A police officer was overheard saying that in a meeting with Liberty Party leaders at the police headquarters, the police were assured that the party would be able to control the crowd.

“Now you see what is happening here today,” the officer said, frustrated.

Abraham Kromah, the deputy of operations for the police; Mikey Gray, deputy commissioner for public safety; and Prince Davis, chief of patrol, all arrived to assist the few officers. With the help of senior LNP officials, normal traffic flow was restored.

(L-R) Prince Davis, Mikey Gray, and Abraham Kromah Planning on Traffic Control Photo Zeze Ballah

Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence of Grand Bassa and Lone Star’s head coach James Debbah were some of the personalities attending the occasion.

Peter Sackie, a supporter of Liberty Party, told The Bush Chicken that he will cast his vote for Brumskine because he saw him as capable of easing the economic hardship in Liberia.

“When Brumskine is elected, a bag of rice will be sold for L$500 (US$4.76),” Sackie said, predicting a drop in the price of Liberia’s most important food commodity by a factor of three.

As with many ordinary supporters at rallies held by political parties, Sackie appeared to have few concrete ideas on what his supported party would accomplish if thrust into power.

While he vaguely predicted that Liberia’s conditions would be improved if Brumskine was elected as president he did not elaborate further.

James Williams, another Liberty Party supporter, wielded a hammer, which he said he had brought to smash the heads of all others contesting for president in Liberia.

James Williams, a Liberty Party supporter. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Williams said he is tired of hearing rhetoric from politicians who only care for themselves.

“We need someone who has the people and country at heart and that person is Brumskine,” Williams said.

Brumskine himself later emerged amid cheers from his supporters was seen smiling and waving.

Charles Walker Brunskine waves to his supporters. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Featured photo by Zeze Ballah