Anti-Imperialist Alliance sets 29 Dec Dhaka rally over US trade deal, port leases

The Anti-Imperialist and Anti-War Alliance has announced four demands and a campaign for November and December, culminating in a Dhaka rally on 29 December and a march to the Prime Minister’s Office to submit a memorandum.

The demands are cancellation of the trade agreement with the United States; cancellation of leases handing Chattogram Port terminals, including the New Mooring Container Terminal, to foreign companies; abandonment of open-pit coal mining in Fulbari and an LNG terminal at Akram Point in the Sundarbans; and opposition to imperialist aggression and war, including Bangladesh’s participation in the Saudi-led defence alliance.

Presenting its declaration and action plan at the Central Shaheed Minar on Friday, the alliance said it would hold meetings, rallies and processions nationwide. Separate public meetings will be held in Chattogram, Fulbari in Dinajpur and Khulna, with dates to be announced.

Communist Party of Bangladesh President Kazi Sazzad Zahir Chandan said the US agreement could harm agriculture, industry and livelihoods. “We are fighting against this agreement. We must intensify this struggle,” he said.

Alliance coordinator and Basad General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz read out the declaration. Basad (Marxist) coordinator Masud Rana and Jasod Standing Committee member Dr Mushtuq Husain also spoke. A red flag procession followed.