Event Summary
On 16 November 2025, organizers of the planned Black Friday “Stop Kush na Salone” procession—aimed at protesting the growing Kush drug crisis in Freetown, Sierra Leone—announced the event’s cancellation after the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) formally refused to grant clearance. The SLP issued a letter citing Section 17 of the 1965 Public Order Act, despite Section 26 of the 1991 Constitution guaranteeing citizens’ freedom of assembly.
One organizer reported being threatened with arrest by senior police officials if the march proceeded. This decision reflects a recurring pattern where the SLP blocks public protests under the guise of “public interest,” undermining constitutional rights. Such actions create a restrictive environment for civic activism, discourage citizen participation, erode trust in state institutions, and limit CSOs’ ability to advocate for social issues—ultimately shrinking civic space in Sierra Leone.