Peaceful protests were held across several cities in the United States on Saturday to raise awareness about alleged violence against Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh. According to organisers, coordinated rallies took place in more than 22 cities, with one of the largest gatherings reported in Artesia, California, where hundreds of people joined a morning march.

The demonstrations were described by organisers as peaceful, lawful, and focused on human rights. Participants said the aim was to draw international attention to what they described as ongoing violence and insecurity faced by minorities in Bangladesh. Many demonstrators carried placards calling for peace and protection and chanted “Om Shanti,” a Sanskrit phrase that means universal peace.

Organisers stressed that the protests were non-political in nature and intended purely as a humanitarian appeal. They said the rallies were meant to highlight the need for accountability and global awareness rather than to disrupt public life.

“This is about ensuring the world pays attention to the suffering of vulnerable communities,” said Geeta Sikand, media representative of the Global Coalition for the Protection of Hindus in Bangladesh, in a statement. “We are asking for protection, accountability, and peace,” she added.

The Artesia rally was organised by local community leaders with support from regional volunteers. According to organisers, the event saw participation not only from the Hindu community but also from faith leaders and members of Jewish and other communities who attended in solidarity. They said the presence of different communities underlined the broader human rights focus of the demonstrations.

Similar rallies were reported in cities across the West, Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast regions of the United States. Some gatherings were held near university campuses, including Princeton University. In colder regions, participants stood outdoors in sub-zero temperatures, which organisers said showed the seriousness and urgency of their concerns.

Speakers at various locations referred to reports by human rights advocates that documented recent attacks on Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian minorities in Bangladesh. They called on international organisations and governments to closely examine the situation and to take steps to protect religious freedom and minority rights.

Some participants also raised historical issues during the rallies. They urged lawmakers in the United States, Europe, and India to recognise atrocities committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War as genocide. Organisers said these references were part of a broader call for acknowledgement, justice, and accountability.

Human rights observers have noted that Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country with a population of about 170 million, has faced periodic communal tensions and episodes of violence affecting minority communities. The Bangladeshi government has previously stated that it is committed to protecting all citizens and prosecuting those responsible for sectarian violence.

At the same time, the Yunus government in Bangladesh has come under criticism over its handling of minority protection. Reports of lynching and killings of minorities, mainly Hindus, have emerged regularly, according to protest organisers and speakers at the rallies. These concerns have gained further attention as the protests come just two weeks ahead of Bangladesh’s national elections.

The upcoming elections have also been criticised following the Yunus government’s decision to ban the participation of the ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. Protesters said these political developments have added to fears among minority communities and increased the need for international monitoring.

Organisers reiterated that the nationwide demonstrations were designed to raise awareness without causing disruption. “Raising our collective voice is the first step,” said Dr Surendra Sharma, a Hindu community leader from Southern California. “We want peace, safety, and dignity for all communities.”

As the Artesia march concluded, participants joined hands and observed a moment of silence. Organisers said this gesture symbolised their call for peace and their appeal for global attention to what they described as a worsening humanitarian concern in Bangladesh.