Othello Sarweh Nimely
ASHMUN STREET–Students of the More Than Me Academy were forced out of their classrooms early Tuesday morning after sheriff’s deputies and police officers arrived at the school to enforce a court order for the institution’s eviction from the property it has occupied on Ashmun Street.
The eviction, which took place amid heavy rainfall, left students and school staff visibly distressed as school property and belongings were removed from the premises.
Some students were seen crying and standing along the street as the eviction was carried out, creating an emotional scene outside the school. School officials who spoke to journalists said they were not given prior notice that the eviction would be carried out, leaving the administration unprepared for such an incident.
(Flashback of students of More Than Me demonstrating)
Residents familiar with the matter said the dispute over the Ashmun Street property has lasted for more than 10 years between the school authorities and the Montgomery family.
The Montgomery family said that the long-running legal dispute centers on the ownership and possession of the property occupied by More Than Me Academy while the matter was being litigated in court.
Erica Davies, spokesperson for the Montgomery family, welcomed the outcome and expressed appreciation to the justice system following the enforcement of the court’s order. “Justice delayed is not justice denied,” Davies said.
She described the ruling as a long-awaited moment for the family and thanked the justice system for bringing the matter to a conclusion after years of legal proceedings.
The eviction has also raised concerns among parents of students enrolled at the school. Some parents are calling on the government to intervene, saying they had already prepared and enrolled their children for the current academic year.
Meanwhile, an administrator of More Than Me Academy maintained that the land is government property and said the institution was initially operated by Americans.
The administrator, whose identity was not immediately established, threatened to peacefully assemble with the schoolchildren at the Executive Mansion and called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to intervene urgently in the matter.
At the same time, Montserrado County District #7 Representative Emmanuel Dahn visited the scene after seeing reports of the eviction on social media.
Representative Dahn said he was unaware of the situation before the reports emerged. He called for calm between both parties and appealed for the children to return to class while efforts are made to resolve the dispute.
The eviction has raised concerns about the disruption of classes and the need for a resolution that addresses the competing claims over the property while ensuring that students can continue their education.
The dispute remains unresolved, with both parties maintaining different positions regarding ownership of the land.
Read more about the school. https://www.propublica.org/article/more-than-me-shuts-down
(Note. We own no copyright to this story with the link above)
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