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Hong Kong police ban June 28, July 1 marches sought by district councilors

蘋果日報 2020/06/27 06:00



The Hong Kong police have rejected applications for marches on June 28 and July 1 against a looming national security law, citing Covid-19 prevention and a risk of violence, says a group of pro-democracy district councilors organizing the processions.



A separate march application, lodged by the organizer of the city’s annual July 1 pro-democracy march, had yet to receive a police decision as of press time. The applicant, Civil Human Rights Front, said on Tuesday that they were certain after a meeting with the police that this year's procession would be banned.



The national security law that Beijing is customizing for Hong Kong is expected to be passed by June 30, according to Beijing loyalists who sit on or are close to the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China’s topmost legislative body. Even as the end of the month is fast approaching, the full text of the law has yet to be unveiled.



The group of district councilors said the police's ban came as no surprise and that they would appeal it.



Andy Chui, one of the district councilors, said the force issued a letter of objection citing laws on public gatherings that allowed groups of up to 50 people only.



Chui said they told the police that marchers would be asked to form groups of up to 35 people and depart at intervals of 35 seconds. Masks and hand sanitizers would also be provided to participants. The police maintained that the march would increase the risk of infection and pose great danger to public health, he said.



Health concerns aside, the police said the march had a high risk of devolving into vandalism as the route — from Causeway Bay to Chater Garden in Central — was prone to violent clashes, as seen in past processions.



Asked if they would get the public to take part despite the police's objection, Chui said they would first wait for the result of the appeal.
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