MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Coalition for Democratic Change has concluded the launch of its campaign, with a large number of people turning out in a display that paralyzed much of metropolitan Monrovia.

Dubbed as ‘Blue Day,’ the event held on Saturday, August 19 was projected by party leaders to attract two million people, a figure understood to be widely overstated as it equals the number of registered voters in the entire country.

Children who looked visibly under 13 years of age were seen at the event, creating doubt as to whether most participants were registered voters.

Some supporters slept at the party’s headquarter on the Tubman Boulevard while others began arriving as early as 7:30 a.m. to grace the occasion.

The Liberia National Police was heavily deployed in front of the party’s headquarters to direct the traffic but partisans made it difficult for the officers to perform their duties.

Traffic became congested from the Old Road Junction adjacent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s residence through the Catholic Hospital Junction.

As the crowd began to increase at the party headquarters, supporters chanted slogans including “You can have the whole world but give us Weah,” “Weah is the only solution to Liberia’s problems,” “Weah will pay the police higher salary,” and “Liberia does not need a sleepy president.”

The last chant is a reference to Vice President Joseph Boakai, who has been photographed on several occasions at official functions appearing to be asleep.

The CDC supporters danced, ate various foods, and drank several beverages on sale in anticipation of the arrival of George Weah and other officials who had embarked on a campaign trail from the ELWA Junction in Paynesville through Somalia Drive, the Freeport, Capitol Bye-Pass, and Sinkor.

The path took the CDC officials several hours and kept supporters waiting at the party’s headquarter.

A helicopter carrying a poster of Weah and his running mate, Jewel Howard Taylor, floated above the party headquarters, eliciting cheers from the CDC partisans.

As night began to fall, and with no sign of Weah or the other leaders, supporters had to stand under the rain without a clear explanation. It was not until 12:00 at midnight when Weah showed up.

Liberia National Police directing traffic. Photo: Zeze Ballah

A CDC supporter shows his support with body paint. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Supporters chant various slogans. Photo: Zeze Ballah

A CDC handicapped supporter displays his party flag. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Elderly women sing songs. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Supporters look up into the sky to catch a glance of the CDC-branded helicopter. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Supporters wave at the helicopter flying above. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Two CDC supporters are carried over the shoulders of their fellow partisans. Photo: Zeze Ballah

CDC supporters ride a tricycle. Photo: Zeze Ballah

CDC supporters pledge their allegiance to the George Weah presidency. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Liberian musician Daniel George, alias DenG, graced the CDC campaign launch. Photo: Zeze Ballah

A masked supporter entertains the crowd. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Some CDC officials at the party headquarters sat for several hours and awaited the arrival George Weah. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Several materials were on sale. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Several underaged supporters were also present. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Jubilant supporters at the campaign launch. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Partisans showed their support in many ways. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Several Rastafarians grace the occasion. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Supporters begin to show signs of weariness as Weah fails to show up. Photo: Zeze Ballah

CDC supporters with unhappy expressions. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Featured photo by Zeze Evans Ballah