MONROVIA, Montserrado – Less than four days to the pending June 7 protest, the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia has alerted its citizens and U.S. government employees to be on alert.

The embassy issued the alert late on Monday, June 3: “A demonstration is expected to take place on Friday, June 7, 2019, beginning in the morning and possibly continuing the next day.”

The Council of Patriots, the organizer of the protest comprising of a group of public officials and private citizens, announced they would begin protesting on June 7 to demand meaningful reforms from the government that will lead to the improvement in governance and the economy.

The embassy advised U.S. government personnel to avoid the protest area and reschedule flights in or out of the Roberts International Airport on June 7 and 8 to avoid being affected by traffic jams during their travel to and from the airport.

U.S. personnel were also advised to avoid the demonstration environment, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, monitor local media for updates, and to keep a low profile.

The embassy regularly issues alerts ahead of large protests and did so in September 2018 prior to the major demonstration organized by the Citizens United to Bring Our Money Back following reports that newly printed banknotes valued at L$16 billion had gone missing.

Featured photo by Flickr’s Bart