NYC BNP leaders, activists upbeat ahead of Tarique Rahman’s arrival

Leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated bodies in New York today took to the streets of Jackson Heights with banners, festoons and shouting slogans, expressing enthusiasm over Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s arrival in the city to attend the 81st UNGA session.

As the Prime Minister was on his way to New York and scheduled to land this evening, BNP leaders and activists gathered in Jackson Heights, a major hub of the Bangladeshi community, and staged rallies and processions to welcome him.

Carrying banners and festoons, they chanted slogans--“Tarique Rahman is coming, the streets are shaking” and “Welcome to Tarique Rahman in New York”, while local BNP leaders spoke about various development activities of the present government.

Leaders and activists of the BNP’s New York City unit, Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) and the Labour Party separately gathered in Jackson Heights and expressed their enthusiasm over the Prime Minister’s arrival.

The welcome activities are part of a broader mobilisation by Bangladeshi expatriates in New York. In recent days, streets and prominent locations in Jackson Heights have been decorated with banners, posters and festoons, while the BNP, its affiliated bodies and individual expatriates have taken preparations to welcome the Prime Minister.

According to community sources, 34 preparatory meetings have so far been held involving the USA BNP, its affiliated and associated organisations and former party leaders.

The preparations have also focused on maintaining discipline during planned welcome programmes at the airport and in front of the UN headquarters.

A Jubo Dal activist who came from Rajshahi said they would remain united against the Awami League’s return to politics. “We will stand together outside John F Kennedy International Airport to welcome our leader when he arrives in New York,” he said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka early today for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He is scheduled to address the Assembly on September 24, leading a 26-member delegation.

His UNGA address is expected to highlight Bangladesh’s renewed democratic journey, rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, economic cooperation, youth and women’s empowerment, education and health, the Rohingya crisis and reform of the multilateral system.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to begin his official UN engagements on September 22 with a welcome breakfast to be hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of state and government.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave New York for Dhaka on September 25. -UNB