Bong Students Observe ‘Black Tuesday’

Bong County students in the city of Gbarnga, on Tuesday joined their colleagues in solidarity for the observance of what the referred to as ‘Black Tuesday’ called by the Liberia National Student Union or LINSU in protest to the recent bloody attack on students by the ERU and PSU of the Liberia National Police in Monrovia during a demonstration.

Correspondent Jefferson Massah in Gbarnga says almost all schools in Gbarnga were seen deserted on yesterday, Tuesday by students except for the Catholic-run St. Martin’s High School. Dozens of students were seen in their various school uniforms on the main street of Gbarnga, while heading home.

At a local Hataye center, the students’ boycott of classes was the point of discussion with some discussants expressing support for the students’ action, while others had descending views about the entire approach of the students.

The President of the Bong Students Union (BONSU), an auxiliary of LINSU, told reporters that the decision was taken to show support for their colleagues action in Monrovia to draw government’s attention to the plight of students especially,  those attending government-run institutions.

Mr. Victor Flomo expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged police brutality against peaceful students, who had only gone to register their displeasure  about the abandonment of classes by teachers of the Monrovia Consolidated School System who were on a go-slow for salary increment and arrears.

According to him, the student leader wants LNP men and officers involved in the bloody attack on the  students during their protest be investigated for inflicting pains and severe wounds on the armless students.

The Bong County Student leader disclosed the information has also been translated to the eight school districts of the county to ensure students in those areas  also  join the process in a peaceful manner to find an immediate redress to their problem.

He indicated that the rights of students must be respected regardless of their status, and as such those violating their rights must not go with impunity,  but equally face the full gravity of the law which serves as protection for all Liberians  irrespective  of  status in society.