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MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Residents of a seaside slum in Liberia's capital are protesting the government's decision to seal off the area in an effort to stop the spread of Ebola.
At least 50,000 people live on the half-mile-long West Point district, making it one of the poorest and most densely populated neighborhoods in Monrovia.
Residents raided an Ebola screening center located there last weekend, accusing officials of bringing sick people from all over Monrovia into their neighborhood.
A West Point resident says by phone that security forces have been firing into the air today in an effort to disperse crowds angry over the new quarantine measures in the neighborhood.
The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 1,200 people in West Africa since December, with Liberia having the highest death toll.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ordered West Point sealed off and imposed a nighttime curfew, saying authorities have not been able to curtail the spread of Ebola with residents ignoring recommended precautions.
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APPHOTO ALIB109: Residents from an area close to the West Point Ebola center confront a government official, center rear, as they are not allowed to enter the area leading to their homes, after Liberia security forces blocked roads, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in the city of Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the government's fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents.(AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh) (20 Aug 2014)
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APPHOTO ALIB106: Liberia security forces, block a road near the West Point Ebola center as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in city Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the government's fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh) (20 Aug 2014)
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APPHOTO ALIB108: Residents from an area close to the West Point Ebola center, protest as they are not allowed to enter the area leading to their homes, after Liberia security forces blocked roads, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in the city of Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the government's fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents.(AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh) (20 Aug 2014)
<<APPHOTO ALIB108 (08/20/14)££
APPHOTO ALIB102: Liberia security forces blockade an area around the West Point Ebola center as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in the city of Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the government's fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh) (20 Aug 2014)
<<APPHOTO ALIB102 (08/20/14)££
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