‘March for Justice’ Held Nationwide Despite Police Crackdown in Bangladesh

In Sydney, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has opposed a planned protest march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge aimed at highlighting the starvation in Gaza, citing concerns over public disorder and police resource strain, with NSW Police seeking a court ruling to deem the protest unlawful. Despite police opposition, the Palestine Action Group Sydney has vowed to proceed with the rally, underscoring tensions between protest rights and government restrictions, while legal experts emphasize freedom of peaceful assembly as a fundamental human right under international law. In Bangladesh, the 'March for Justice' on July 31, 2024, organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, marked a significant protest against human rights abuses under Sheikh Hasina's government, involving widespread participation despite heavy police crackdowns, injuries, and arrests, ultimately contributing to her government's ouster. The protests included diverse groups such as students, teachers, lawyers, and human rights defenders across multiple cities and featured sit-ins, marches, and rallies demanding investigations and justice for killings and enforced disappearances. Meanwhile, in Ghana, youth protests in Accra have called for the expulsion of Nigerian nationals, blaming them for rising crime and economic issues, with demands for government accountability and parliamentary intervention to address national security concerns. These protests reflect ongoing global civil unrest where populations confront government policies, human rights issues, and social grievances, often facing state resistance while asserting their rights to assemble and demand change.