The US embassy in Dhaka has issued a security alert for American citizens in Bangladesh following reports of a planned peaceful 'sit in'.
Bangladesh is currently under a Level 4 travel advisory, which advises against travel. The alert specifies that the protest is scheduled to occur at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan 2, Dhaka at 3pm (Bangladesh time) today.
The embassy warns that calls for protests, demonstrations, marches, and gatherings continue to emerge and can materialize rapidly. US citizens are advised to practice vigilance, avoid demonstrations, and be cautious around large gatherings.
In response to the perceived threat, the embassy suggests that US citizens who feel unsafe should consider returning to the United States.
Student leaders have rallied Bangladeshis for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign, as the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces increasing backlash over a deadly police crackdown on protesters. Last month's rallies against civil service job quotas led to days of chaos, resulting in over 200 deaths, marking some of the worst unrest during Hasina's 15-year tenure.
Troops were deployed to restore order temporarily, but large crowds returned to the streets following Friday prayers, responding to a call by student leaders to demand further concessions from the government. Students Against Discrimination, the group behind the initial protests, has called for an all-out non-cooperation movement starting Sunday, which includes non-payment of taxes and utility bills, strikes by government workers, and a halt to overseas remittance payments through banks.
The students are demanding a public apology from Hasina for the recent violence and the dismissal of several of her ministers.
