Shahbagh demonstrations end for the day

Organisers announced an end to demonstrations at Shahbagh intersection around 8:30pm on Friday, and left room open for a resumption of road blockade and protest rallies in the area the next day.

Since morning, thousands of students and other people thronged the busy intersection, demanding justice for murdered July Uprising participant Osman Hadi. Due to the protests, vehicular movement through the intersection remained largely halted throughout the day.

Before wrapping up the protests, the organisers urged all to join the funeral prayers for Hadi at the National Parliament’s South Plaza on Saturday afternoon, said DUCSU General Secretary SM Farhad.

They also called on like-minded protesters to take a vow on Hadi’s coffin to continue their fight for securing justice for the assassination, and to wage a lifelong struggle against foreign aggression, SM Farhad told reporters.

Protesters were also urged to “pray for their own martyrdom in the same way Hadi wished for a noble death in the fight against fascism and expansionism.”

Earlier, around 3pm, DUCSU Vice President and Chhatra Shibir leader Abu Shadik Kayem launched a rally against “foreign expansionism” on the road leading to the Matsya Bhaban.