The Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York has sent letters to local police, the mayor’s office, and the US State Department’s local office, requesting action over an incident that occurred during an event at the consulate.
According to a press release issued on Monday, the consulate hosted a discussion meeting on Sunday marking the first anniversary of the July mass uprising.
The event was attended by around 150 members of the Bangladeshi community, including students, with Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam as the chief guest.
At the consulate’s request, New York City Police had deployed security personnel before the program began. The statement said that from 5 pm, leaders and activists of the US Awami League and its affiliates gathered outside the consulate with the intention of disrupting the event. They chanted anti-government slogans, used abusive language, and allegedly chased guests to prevent them from joining the program.
The press release added that the demonstrators also threw eggs at arriving guests and struck the glass door of another office in the same building, causing cracks. Police intervened, stopped the violence, and detained several individuals. The consulate said photographs and video footage of the incident have been provided to police, who assured that legal action would follow.
Despite the protests, the chief guest was able to enter the venue as planned, take part in discussions, interact with community members, and leave safely after dinner. The statement said police remained on site until the event concluded.
The consulate also claimed that the protesters stayed outside until midnight with party flags, attempting to harass the guest of honor, but failed in their efforts. It further alleged that false information and propaganda about the incident are being spread on social media, and urged people not to be misled.
