Monday started with a bang literally. The new government and more importantly the new police chief (formerly of New Jersey) decided it was time to tear down and burn all the market stalls that were crowding the roads and making traffic a living nightmare here in Monrovia. Unfortunately, they didn't coordinate this action with the UNMIL troops. So as soon as the market stall owners saw what they had done violent riots broke out throughout the city. The local Taxi owners were also frustrated by the stalls and decided to help the police to tear stalls down and start fights with the stall owners. I have been working to keep our people out of the trouble spots for the last 3 days. This morning we awoke to more riots and beaten bodies in the streets. Just another day in Monrovia!!
Of course this also started on the day that Zana had 70 women coming for screening. A lot of these woman had trouble getting transportation because of the riots. Their lives have been destroyed by the violence here and once again the day there is hope for treatment, violence springs up and makes a difficult transport into something impossible.
In the last week we have had the following in Monrovia:
1. A Save the Children worker was kidnapped
2. 4 of our vehicles had possession stolen out of the vehicles while they were moving in slow city traffic (Jessie and I were one of these)
3. Had numerous crew members life threatened by the growing number of violent beggars
4. Crew members have been robbed in the market of cameras and phones
5. 8 rapes, 3 of which were gang rapes
6. 2 bicyclist were beaten with boards and their bikes and wallets were stolen
7. 5 people have been beaten to death by mob justice
8. 1 child has been murdered and is suspected of being a ritualistic killing
9. Over a dozen UNMIL homes have been robbed at night usually at gun point.
10. Tensions are still high as Charles Taylor supporters are still upset that "Their President" was in jail facing war tribunal charges.
10. The opposition candidate George Weah was removed from a leaving flight and had his passport taken, causing huge tension amongst the opposition party which is about 40% of the total population and 99% of some outlying counties.
Please pray for the safety of our crew over the next 6 weeks and my ability to keep them safe from their own foolishness, which at times can be mind blowing.
Of course this also started on the day that Zana had 70 women coming for screening. A lot of these woman had trouble getting transportation because of the riots. Their lives have been destroyed by the violence here and once again the day there is hope for treatment, violence springs up and makes a difficult transport into something impossible.In the last week we have had the following in Monrovia:
1. A Save the Children worker was kidnapped
2. 4 of our vehicles had possession stolen out of the vehicles while they were moving in slow city traffic (Jessie and I were one of these)
3. Had numerous crew members life threatened by the growing number of violent beggars
4. Crew members have been robbed in the market of cameras and phones
5. 8 rapes, 3 of which were gang rapes
6. 2 bicyclist were beaten with boards and their bikes and wallets were stolen
7. 5 people have been beaten to death by mob justice
8. 1 child has been murdered and is suspected of being a ritualistic killing
9. Over a dozen UNMIL homes have been robbed at night usually at gun point.
10. Tensions are still high as Charles Taylor supporters are still upset that "Their President" was in jail facing war tribunal charges.
10. The opposition candidate George Weah was removed from a leaving flight and had his passport taken, causing huge tension amongst the opposition party which is about 40% of the total population and 99% of some outlying counties.
Please pray for the safety of our crew over the next 6 weeks and my ability to keep them safe from their own foolishness, which at times can be mind blowing.
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