Bangladeshi diaspora organisations in New York will hold an international commemoration event on 8 August to mark the second anniversary of July Revolution, said a press release on Tuesday.
The event, themed “We May Give Our Lives, But We Will Never Surrender July”, will take place at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights from 12:00pm to 9:00pm, according to a press conference organised by Patriots of Bangladesh and Bangladeshi-American Patriots on 8 July.
The programme will feature Quran recitation, prayers, tributes to Martyr Osman Bin Hadi and other July martyrs, patriotic songs, Islamic nasheeds and cultural performances.
An exhibition titled “From Tragedy to Triumph: The July Revolution”, documentary screenings, poetry recitations and performances inspired by the revolution will also be held. Popular singer Biplob is expected to perform at the event.
An international think tank session will bring together experts in political science, peace and security, chemistry, humanities, mathematics, data analytics, technology, history and social psychology to discuss “From Resistance to Reconstruction”.
The programme will honour freedom fighters, families of martyrs, injured activists, human rights defenders, community journalists, media professionals and volunteers.
Organisers announced a 13-member Central Celebration Committee headed by academic Sheikh Mizan. Other members include Abid Bahar, Junun Chowdhury, Mohammad Azizur Rahman, Rahmat Ullah, Haji Anwar Hossain Liton, Emdad Chowdhury Dipu, Misbah Uddin Ahmad, AK Abdul Kader, Abul Kalam Azad, Rezaul Karim, Nurul Haque Chowdhury, Javed Ahmad, Abdul Alim and Dipon Gazi.
Speakers described the July Revolution as a glorious chapter in Bangladesh’s history that opened a new era in the struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights.
Organisers said the second anniversary would serve as an international platform to introduce the movement’s history and democratic values to future generations.
Those present at the press conference included Jacob Milton, head of We Are The Peoples; poet Kazi Zahirul Islam; Nizam Uddin (NYU); Junun Chowdhury; Sheikh Mizan; Shamim Ahmed (University of Texas); Kawsar Ahmed (NYU); Golapi Begum; Ruksana; Emdad Chowdhury Dipu; community activist Haji Anwar Hossain; Biplob, vocalist of Rockstar; Shah Islam; MD Ashik; MD Arman; MD Shafik; MD Rezaul Karim; Dipon Gazi and other community members.
