A rally was held in New York, United States, by the “Genocide ’71 Foundation” to commemorate the black night of March 25. The program, organized to demand international recognition of the 1971 genocide and justice for those responsible, took place at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, New York City.
From the rally, participants pledged to strengthen lobbying efforts with their respective members of Congress in support of a bill introduced in the US Congress recognizing the 1971 genocide. They also called for bringing the Pakistani forces and their collaborators to international justice.
Speakers expressed strong condemnation and anger over the adoption of condolence motions in Bangladesh’s National Parliament for convicted war criminals. They alleged that the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is being used for political purposes, thereby obstructing the course of genuine justice.
Despite freezing temperatures, people from various walks of life, including freedom fighters, joined the rally. The program began with an افتتاح speech by the foundation’s founder, Dr. Pradip Kar, followed by a candlelight vigil in memory of the martyrs.
The area resonated with slogans such as “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.” Among others, Gholam Mostafa Khan Miraj, Faruk Hossain, Shawkat Akbar Ritchie, Helal Majid, and Khurshid Anwar Bablu also addressed the gathering.
Speakers noted that even 55 years after independence, the resurgence of defeated forces in Bangladesh is alarming. They called for unity among conscious Bangladeshis at home and abroad to মোকাবিলা this situation.
