Development professionals on Saturday expressed solidarity with the demand to ensure justice for the killings of students during the quota reform movement and also called for reform of the state machinery.
About 1,000 development professionals from different organizations joined the rally under the banner of the “Development Professionals Alliance for Freedom and Justice” at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan in the capital.
The rally started with the national anthem, and hundreds of development professionals, parents, passersby, and students gradually joined in.
Rubaiyath Sarwar, a development professional and researcher, read the official statement on behalf of the development professionals.
He strongly said: “Injustice and state-led brutality can not continue anymore. People’s right to speak and write must prevail. Bangladesh can not afford to lose any more of its people in the fight for democracy. Therefore, the development professionals in Bangladesh have to ensure that they stand for freedom and justice.
“On behalf of the development professional’s community, he expressed firm determination to protect freedom of speech and human rights.”
Warda Ashraf, another development professional and musician, said: "Our demand is clear. We are asking for proper support for all the injured and deceased. We do not want to see our children injured."
Another development communication professional Tony Michael, expressed his solidarity with the protest, demanding clear freedom and justice for the ongoing movement.
He said: "We will continue this peaceful protest and alliance until justice is achieved."
The development professionals demonstrated for around one hour till 4.15pm, before starting a march to join other commoners at Shaheed Minar in the capital.