Monrovia, July 25, 2025 — Montserrado County District #1 Representative Rugie Barry has added her voice to the growing chorus of national concern following a widely circulated video showing officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) allegedly assaulting Madam Zainab Bah—a veiled Muslim woman and mother—during what appears to be a tense confrontation.
In a statement issued on the eve of Liberia’s 178th Independence Day, Representative Barry described the reported treatment of Madam Bah as “inhumane and degrading,” citing the physical and psychological toll it may have inflicted on both the woman and her infant child.
“I am deeply troubled by the disturbing reports and footage,” the lawmaker wrote, adding that such acts “have no place in our society, regardless of the circumstances.” She urged calm and reflection but also called for decisive institutional action.
Police Under Pressure Amid Public Outrage
While the full circumstances of the incident remain under investigation, the footage—which has gone viral on social media—has sparked widespread condemnation, particularly from rights advocates and members of Liberia’s Muslim and Fulani communities. The video reportedly shows officers manhandling Madam Bah while she cradled her infant child, igniting public protests and triggering discussions about religious and gender-based discrimination, as well as excessive use of police force.
Representative Barry welcomed the Liberia National Police’s public apology and their commitment to launch an internal investigation, but stressed that these gestures must be matched by action.
“I urge that this investigation be carried out with transparency, fairness, and urgency so that accountability is established and justice is served,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of building public trust through credible oversight.
Balancing Law Enforcement and Human Dignity
While voicing her unequivocal condemnation of the alleged assault, Barry was careful to reiterate her support for the rule of law and the constitutional role of the LNP in maintaining public order. However, she underscored the need for law enforcement to operate with professionalism and proportionality.
“No individual—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender—should ever be subjected to excessive force or dehumanizing treatment,” she said, reinforcing the need for respectful policing in a diverse society.
Broader Context: Power Theft and Civil Disobedience
Representative Barry also used the occasion to discourage illegal activities such as power theft, which she acknowledged as a serious issue that undermines government efforts to deliver essential services.
“Power theft and all other forms of illegal activity not only violate the law but also hinder the government’s capacity to generate revenue,” she said, encouraging citizens to seek legal means of addressing grievances related to public utilities. This remark is seen as an attempt to strike a balanced narrative amid suggestions that the incident involving Madam Bah may have stemmed from a power theft-related enforcement operation.
Support for Peaceful Protest and Civic Responsibility
Barry extended commendations to those who participated in a peaceful solidarity march in support of Madam Bah, noting that their actions were a “demonstration of unity, compassion, and civic responsibility.”
She urged continued peaceful engagement and respect for the law, even as citizens exercise their right to protest injustices. “Let us use this moment not to divide, but to reflect, to correct, and to strengthen the foundation of a more peaceful and just Liberia,” she appealed.
A Call for National Reflection
As Liberia prepares to commemorate its independence, the incident and its aftermath have cast a shadow over national celebrations. Representative Barry’s statement blends condemnation with a call for healing, urging Liberians to remain guided by shared values of “dignity, fairness, and justice.”
She closed with a reaffirmation of her commitment to human rights and national unity: “We must never lose sight of the values that bind us as a people.”
The public now awaits the outcome of the LNP’s internal investigation—viewed as a key test of institutional accountability and Liberia’s democratic maturity.
