‘Artists against genocide and oppression’ hold protest rally at Dhanmondi, students block Science Lab intersection
Online Desk :
In protest against recent nationwide killings, arrests, and oppression, artists under the platform “Artists Against Genocide and Oppression” held a rally in the Dhanmondi area of the capital on Friday morning.
They chanted slogans demanding justice for the killings in front of the Abahani Field on Sat Masjid Road, reports our photographer from the spot, reports UNB.
Freedom of expression has been stifled by repressive laws. For a long time, people who have spoken out against injustices have been subjected to various forms of social and state oppression, they said.
In this critical moment for the country, with the demand for quota reform by students escalating into a student-public uprising and indiscriminate killings being carried out under the guise of suppression, they said it was time to raise voices in protest on behalf of the artist community.
Visual artists, photographers, performance artists, musicians, poets, writers, researchers, architects, and art organizers attended the rally, including artist Mustafa Zaman; photographer Imtiaz Alam Beg; musician Arup Rahi; musician Bithi Ghosh; musician Amirul Rajib; curator and writer Shehzad Chowdhury; artist and poet Shawon Chishti; painter Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurba; artist and curator A. Ehsan; artist Raian Islam; photographer Mehbuba Mahjabin Hasan; painter Nuzhat Tabassum Anan; artist Sajan; artist Tanzim Iniat; artist Naeem Ul Hasan; curator and archivist Reesham Shahab Tirtho; architect and painter Asit Roy; artist Suborna Morsheda; painter Taposi; and artist Afsana Sharmin Jhumpa.
Meanwhile, students took position at Science Lab intersection around 1 pm and have been staging a demonstration protesting the recent killings and demanding justice.
They gathered there after Juma prayers as per their scheduled program—prayers and mass procession.
A large number of police were seen deployed in the area with prison vans, reports our photographer from the spot.
The Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement on Thursday announced a nationwide prayers and mass procession for Friday to press home their 9-point demand.
The program was announced in a press release sent by Abdul Kader, a coordinator of the movement.
“The campaign is being organized in memory of all those who were martyred, injured, arrested, or participated in the movement,” it reads.