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Liberia
Citizens living in rural areas around agro-industry plantations in Margibi, Grand Bassa and Bong counties, have been organizing together since 2011 to stand for their rights (among 2 community based organizations : Kwamuneh and Lac-DistfAC). Rural dwellers and farmers, they have been struggling against land grabbing, pollution, labor abuses, and broken promises from the responsible companies (LAC and SRC, owned by Socfin, controlled by french Group Bolloré).
Leading a common fight for more justice, they decided in October 2018 to build a wider organization that could be able to struggle for social, economic and environmental justice for all its members: low incomes families in both rural and urban areas: Justicitiz was born.
“We realize that the only way our society can become better, rights of the people respected and problems are resolved in our country is when we gather together and speak out loudly. As I speak, we stand ready to mobilize the hugest manpower from various counties where we have organized folks to demonstrate; I mean, peacefully protest against ills that we are faced with in our cities and communities. In this way, we can be assured that situations will be solved”. Mr. Mike George (Spokesperson, JUSTICITIZ).
The organization today
The organization gathers more than 1000 members, in dozens of villages.
A community organizer based in Monrovia has been supporting the organizing, house by house, village after village. Local committees have been elected by members in each village where members are enough. Around SRC plantation, one central committee gather representatives for all villages in upper region, and another central committee is settled for lower region. Around LAC plantation, there is a central committee for district 3, and another central committee for villages on district 4. Two executive committees coordinate villages of both areas, and form the national council, electing national board.
Ongoing campaigns
The organization still focus for now on rural organizing and campaigns against this multinational corporation’ abuses.
In remoted areas, farmers rely on lands and crops they can grow. But because of agro-industries and their expansion, land pressure is very strong and they barely have farmlands to farm anymore. Besides, and despite promises from these companies, roads connectivity is very poor, and so it’s difficult to get their products to markets in the urban settlements. Lack of social infrastructures such as schools, health centers or water pumps, has a strong impact on local dwellers, especially children. Living conditions have worsen, and increasing number of unfulfilled promises by management is also fueling tensions with local communities. Furthermore, the companies’ activities are affecting environment : water, soil and air pollution, destruction of forests and wetlands.
For the last years, members have been struggling to get proper compensation for destroyed crops. Thanks to non-violent actions, negotiations led to the payment of US$54, 000 by LAC management to a hundred of families.
They are now focusing on access to education, demanding for school building in villages around LAC.
Some new promises have been made after collective mobilization, but local dwellers are still waiting for the last steps of the building and providing teachers.
Members in villages surrounding SRC plantations are focusing on the same compensation demands, after getting water pumps from the company in several villages.
In these rural areas, facing abuses from multinational corporations, members have to fight for what is owed to them. They hope that growing with help them to scale up campaigns and get social justice for thousands of people in Liberia.
Liberia Photo Gallery









Liberia Updates
- Justicitiz-ACORN Liberia: Unstoppable in Campaign Against Socfin Group for Civil Rights and Environmental OversightJusticitiz-ACORN Liberia continued their incredible campaign against palm oil and rubber giant Socfin Group, after forcing the corporation to fix a draining ditch that was flooding a village last year, and the demands of their open letter demanding increased civil rights and environmental oversight from Socfin Group’s shady activities. When the people stand together, we are… Read more: Justicitiz-ACORN Liberia: Unstoppable in Campaign Against Socfin Group for Civil Rights and Environmental Oversight
- Justicitiz-ACORN, Liberia : Kwamuneh Organization’s Successful Drainage ProjectOur Liberia affiliate, Justicitiz, forced multinational corporation Socfin Group to repair drainage they had destroyed months ago in Massaquoi town. How did they do it? Using the ACORN model! They held a “Fix our Drainage System and Anti Green-washing” protest. During the protest, armed police dispersed and chased after Justicitizs’ members. A few days later,… Read more: Justicitiz-ACORN, Liberia : Kwamuneh Organization’s Successful Drainage Project
- ACORN convenes first global Zoom call during COVID-19 pandemicACORN International board members, supported by their staff, convened in a first global Zoom call today. ACORN leaders from 15 countries and 20 affiliates joined the call and participated using translators and translation software.
- Mobilisation des habitants de Makepe Missoke pour l’accès à l’eau potableLES HABITANTS DU QUARTIER MAKEPE MISSOKE REDONNENT VIE AU FORAGE A SEC PAR DES MISES EN SCENE : ILS DENONCENT LE MANQUE D’ACCES A L’EAU POTABLE
- More Photos from Liberia ACORN’s Action on Schools]
ACORN Affiliates
Updates from the Field
- Locataires Ensemble Takes Action Against Overheating Homes in LyonMembers of Locataires Ensemble are mobilizing against overheating homes, a huge issue as the temperature continues to rise. They have launched a petition calling on the Mayor of Lyon to enforce protections like shutters and ceiling fans. A win here could set a precedent across France! Their efforts are building momentum across the globe as we move closer to… Read more: Locataires Ensemble Takes Action Against Overheating Homes in Lyon
- Living Rent Secures Major Rent Freeze Victory in GlasgowThis June, Living Rent kept the pressure up after last month’s “Unfair Funfair” by continuing their campaings for rent control in Glasgow. After months of hard work from tenants and under the threat of direct, collective action, the Water Row Company has reversed prior rent increases, apologised, frozen rent for a year and agreed to consult tenants on future… Read more: Living Rent Secures Major Rent Freeze Victory in Glasgow
- Youth Lead the Way in Cleveland and A Community Voice Fights Industrial Canal Expansion in LouisianaThis week, ACORN Cleveland’s youth leaders held a student-led town hall to respond to Ohio House Bill 96 and the federal education funding freeze. From demanding better school safety to protecting vital education resources, students made their voices heard and laid out a bold, community-centered vision for change. In Louisiana, A Community Voice continued their tireless advocacy against planned… Read more: Youth Lead the Way in Cleveland and A Community Voice Fights Industrial Canal Expansion in Louisiana
- Big Wins for Renters in Liverpool and Community Outreach in LeedsLiverpool tenants have secured an 80% rent hike reduction for hundreds of residents, a huge win that will have provide massive relief to renters who couldn’t afford such an insnae hike! In Leeds, members took their “Agony Acorn” stall to Holbeck Gala, talking to people about the issues hitting hardest in the community.
- ACORN Ottawa and Waterloo Region Achieve Major Wins for Tenant ProtectionsACORN Ottawa hosted a citywide Healthy Homes meeting to demand safe and livable housing and called on the city to implement landlord licensing. Waterloo Region ACORN members secured a major win when the city voted to move foward with a renovication bylaw, a real step toward tenant protections in Kitchener! 27 ACORN members and allies stormed the council… Read more: ACORN Ottawa and Waterloo Region Achieve Major Wins for Tenant Protections
- ACORN Kenya Joins Global Action Against Adani and Plans Youth Forum on Unemployment and Mental HealthIn June, ACORN Kenya stood in solidarity with protests around the world by hosting their own event against the corrupt Adani Group. They also are planning a youth forum for July, in response to wide-spread protests from Kenyan youth against the government. The forum will focus on issues of wide-spread unemployment, the high cost of living, and… Read more: ACORN Kenya Joins Global Action Against Adani and Plans Youth Forum on Unemployment and Mental Health