Group protesting Bangladesh prime minister shuts down Tysons Blvd

TysonsReporter.com May 2, 2023 at 5:21pm

Tysons Blvd demonstration (via hafizkhandcusa/Facebook) — D.C. area BNP supporters protest against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina outside the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons (via hafizkhandcusa/Facebook)

Tysons Blvd was shut down in front of the Ritz-Carlton this afternoon by demonstrators protesting a visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Police closed the road between Galleria Drive and Park Run Drive starting around 3:50 p.m., according to a Fairfax Alert.

“A large group has gathered for a demonstration,” the Fairfax County Police Department said. “Officers are in the area to ensure public safety. Please use an alternate route.”

Tysons Blvd is currently closed between Galleria Drive and Park Run Drive. A large group has gathered for a demonstration. Officers are in the area to ensure public safety. Please use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/l0SMPF0vVr

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) May 2, 2023

According to a flyer posted to Facebook, the D.C., Virginia and Maryland chapters of the Bangladeshi National Party (BNP) organized the demonstration to protest Hasina’s arrival on Saturday (April 29) for a week-long visit to D.C.

The group also held a protest yesterday (Monday) outside the World Bank in D.C.

A video of the protest shows people chanting and holding posters calling for democracy and free elections in Bangladesh.

The daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who helped found Bangladesh when it separated from Pakistan in 1971, Hasina has become the country’s longest-serving prime minister since assuming the position in 2009.

Her government has been accused of suppressing political opponents with election rigging, torture, arbitrary arrests and violent crackdowns on protestors. The BNP, an opposition party to Hasina’s ruling Awami League, has been mobilizing in recent months both within Bangladesh and globally to protest rising fuel prices and arrests of its leaders.