Thousands of students from various private universities took to the streets outside the US Embassy in Gulshan on Monday (7 April) morning, denouncing what they described as Israeli barbarism and genocide in Gaza, allegedly carried out with direct support from the United States.
The protest, which began at approximately 11:30am, drew participation from pupils of the University of Information Technology and Sciences, Presidential University, madrasa students and locals from surrounding educational institutions.
Chanting powerful slogans such as “Free Palestine”, “Stop the genocide in Gaza”, and “Boycott America, boycott Israel”, demonstrators expressed unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Placards also targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with rhyming Bengali slogans and demands for international accountability.
Protesters hurled shoes at effigies bearing the faces of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Premier Netanyahu, and burned the Israeli flag in a dramatic display of defiance.
They criticised the United Nations for what they termed as its inaction, calling upon the global body to take decisive steps against the onslaught.
Participants urged global Muslim unity, insisting it was time for the Islamic world to rise in unison against occupation and oppression.
They pledged to honour the call for worldwide demonstrations issued by Palestinians under siege in Gaza.
Speakers at the rally asserted that Israel’s backers had no place in Bangladesh, declaring that people across the country had already begun a grassroots boycott of American and Israeli interests.
“Those aiding this genocide must be resisted by all Muslims, united and unafraid,” a protest leader proclaimed.
