Claim: "STAND was stopped from entering the Executive Mansion."
Full Text: On December 17, 2025, Spoon TV reported that the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) was stopped from entering the Executive Mansion during a planned protest. The live video quickly gained traction, drawing 917 reactions, 1.8k comments, and 114 shares by the time of publication.
The report came as security forces maintained a heavy presence around the Executive Mansion, with officers from the Liberia National Police (LNP) deployed in significant numbers ahead of the demonstration.
STAND Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu Jr. made it clear that his group wouldn't be intimidated. In a social media post, Morlu declared: "The die is cast. We are coming out fearless. No police threats will intimidate a single protester. The resistance begins! No retreat."
Leading up to the protest, STAND pushed back against the LNP's assertion that the Executive Mansion grounds aren't designated for demonstrations. Morlu called the police position "historically dishonest, legally baseless, and politically selective," arguing it undermines constitutional democracy and citizens' rights to peaceful assembly.
Verification: To verify the claim, The Stage Media reviewed the Liberia National Police Facebook page. On December 16, 2025, Police Spokesperson Cecelia Clarke issued a statement reiterating that Executive Mansion grounds are not designated for protests.
The release acknowledged the planned STAND protest and noted that police had engaged the group's leadership as part of their preventive public order strategy. According to the LNP, STAND wasn't banned from protesting outright. Instead, the group was advised during meetings with leadership to consider postponing the demonstration because of heightened public safety concerns during the Christmas season.
The police emphasized that constitutional rights must be exercised lawfully and responsibly, warning that any violations would be addressed according to Liberian law. However, the statement didn't explicitly say STAND would be physically blocked from the Executive Mansion.
On December 16, STAND rejected the LNP's position in a strongly worded statement. The group insisted that peaceful assembly at or near the Executive Mansion is both constitutionally protected and a historically practiced right.
STAND accused the police of intimidation and selective law enforcement, maintaining that the December 17 protest would go forward peacefully and without fear.
Live coverage from Spoon TV, Front Page Africa, DN News, and other media outlets confirmed that Joint Security forces—comprising the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS)—did not allow protesters to enter the Executive Mansion grounds.
Verdict: Based on the information gathered, the Liberia National Police issued public advisories, security warnings, and reiterated restrictions about protests at the Executive Mansion. During the December 17 protest, STAND was prevented from entering the area at the time the claim was made.
