From public universities to private campuses, from madrasah students to rickshaw-pullers, people from all walks of life stood shoulder to shoulder, forging the historic July August movement in defiance of violence and injustice. These are the voices of those who were there – who marched, who bled, who carried the fallen and who refused to stay silent. Not just stories of protest, but of unity, sacrifice and unshaken hope for a different future.

Munim Mubashshir
Student, CSE, North South University

This is not my first protest. I have been active on national issues since the 2018 road safety and quota reform movements. I was also present during the anti-Modi protest in 2021. I’ve always tried my best to stand for what is right.
But the July movement felt different. What truly ignited something deep within me was the death of Abu Sayed. Watching him stand tall, arms spread wide, unflinching before the police, sparked a revolutionary flame in me. His courage in the face of death inspired me and thousands of others.
Now, many people and groups claim they were the masterminds behind the movement. But in my eyes, the real mastermind was Abu Sayed. He was the one who ignited this fire in our hearts.
On 18 July, when many public university students were silenced, we rallied. Students from North South University, BRAC University, East West University, Independent University of Bangladesh, American International University-Bangladesh, and others stood together. Even schoolgirls from Viqarunnisa Noon School came—some with their parents.
Then came news of attacks on East West and BRAC University students. We immediately formed two protest groups: one to hold ground at Jamuna Future Park, and the other to march toward BRAC. I joined the march. We rallied to stand with our brothers. While we were marching, a man beside  Yet here we are, side by side, chanting slogans together. This is unity.”
On 19 July, the protest intensified. Near Jamuna Future Park, police fired tear gas at us. Many of us couldn’t breathe. Our eyes burned. Some people were shouting for fire to clear the gas. In the middle of the chaos, I lost control and collapsed to my knees. Two of my friends pulled me up and helped me run.
The general public joined us. They supported us in every way they could—offering money, food, medical supplies, shelter. Their support reminded us that we were not alone.
July 2024 was unlike anything we had seen before. It was a rare moment of unity across all walks of life. People forgot their religious differences, political views, caste, or class. Everyone came together with one clear goal—to stand against a fascist regime.