Pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong vowed to go ahead with the hallmark July 1 march, despite a police ban and a new national security law expected to take effect on the same day.

The annual march is banned by police for the first time since the 1997 handover, citing public health concerns amid the coronavirus epidemic.

Democratic Party leader Wu Chi-wai, Figo Chan of Civil Human Rights Front, district councilors Tsang Kin-shing, Lancelot Chan and Andy Chui, told the press today that they would press ahead with the march. Under the theme “Oppose the National Security Law, Hold on to the Five Demands”, the march will begin at 2pm on Wednesday and the route is from East Point Road to Chater Road.

While the result of the Front’s appeal against the police ban would not be announced until 6pm Tuesday, Chan expected the appeal to be unsuccessful and therefore decided to make their announcement early in the afternoon.

“We hope all Hongkongers, regardless of your skin color, race and religion, can take to the streets to oppose the national security law,” said Chan, who is organizing the march in his capacity as a private citizen. He and other legislators were well-aware of the risks of being prosecuted. “But we must not fear. If we fear, we will lose our freedoms and rights for sure.”

Chan said he would still chant slogans and express himself through peaceful means, even national security law was expected to be effective on the same day.

Tsang Kin-shing, councilor of the Eastern District, said the pro-democracy camp’s landslide victory in the local elections last November represented the popular opinion. As the elected, they had the responsibility to build a platform where citizens could voice against the national security law. He lambasted the pro-establishment politicians for blindly supporting the law.

“One country, two systems was put to death on June 30, 2020. There will be many Liu Xiaobo in Hong Kong,” said Tsang, referring to the late Nobel Peace laureate, who was jailed for “inciting subversion of state power” and died in imprisonment.

While it would be difficult to force the government to withdraw the law, Hong Kong people should take to the streets and voice their opposition to the authorities one step at a time, he appealed.

Political party Demosisto and other groups supporting Hong Kong independence disbanded or suspended their operation in the city immediately after China’s parliament announced they had passed the law. Wu urged Hong Kong people to take turns to speak out in face of the crackdown on prominent political figures and groups. It was precisely the reason why he insisted on marching despite increasing risks.

When asked about the upcoming September election, Chan said it was not the time to worry about the primary elections or the Legislative Council elections. The most important thing now was to show up on the streets in great numbers to warn the government against disqualification of candidates or any crackdown on people’s freedoms and democracy, he said.

Click here for Chinese version.

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