NN Online:
The protest demanding a ban on the Awami League gained momentum for the second consecutive day as a large crowd gathered at Shahbagh on Saturday afternoon.
What began as a demonstration on Friday afternoon continued into Saturday, drawing people from various backgrounds. Protesters filled the Shahbagh intersection and the area around the National Museum, leading to severe traffic congestion in nearby areas, including Banglamotor, Aziz Super Market, and Matsya Bhaban.
Participants chanted anti-Awami League slogans and carried placards supporting their demands.
“This movement is about justice. Those responsible for the July killings must be held accountable,” said Manik Hossain, one of the demonstrators.
Rifat, another protester who came from Paltan, said, “This is no longer just a student-led movement—people from all sections of society are joining. To achieve meaningful change, we must make sacrifices.”
The protest was called by Hasnat Abdullah, Southern Region Chief Organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), who announced the rally through a Facebook post on Friday night, urging people to join the gathering from 3pm on Saturday.
The protestors are pressing a 3-point demand: to declare the Awami League a terrorist organization, to ban the party, and to allow group trials under the International Crimes Tribunal Act. They are also advocating for the issuance of the so-called July declaration.
On Friday, demonstrators began blocking the Shahbagh intersection around 4:40pm and have vowed to continue their sit-in until their demands are addressed.
