Jatiyo (National) Chhatra Shakti, Chattogram, staged a “Graffiti Rewriting Programme” at Gate No. 2 in the port city on Monday evening in protest against the removal of July Mass Uprising graffiti by the Chattogram City Corporation and alleged police attacks on activists involved in graffiti painting.
The programme began at 6:00 pm and was attended by more than a hundred leaders and activists of the organisation, including Abdur Rahman, one of the organisers of Jatiyo Chhatra Shakti Chattogram Metropolitan unit, Northern district convener Muntasir Mahmud, Southern district member secretary Kayes and Government City College convener Khayer Hossain.
Speakers at the programme said any attempt to erase the memory and spirit of the July Mass Uprising would be resisted by the people. They alleged that graffiti linked to the movement was being deliberately removed as part of efforts to suppress the history of mass movements and silence dissenting voices through police attacks.
They said the language of public memory and resistance could never be erased despite such actions.
The leaders also described graffiti as more than art, calling it a reflection of movements, sacrifice and the aspirations of the people. They said similar programmes inspired by the spirit of July would continue in the future.
At the end of the programme, they called on students and the public to remain united in movements to protect democratic rights and preserve history.
