Police ban marches as Hong Kong readies for 11th weekend of mass anti-government protests
- Authorities cite 18 anti-government demonstrations held since June that ended in violence and injuries
- But rallies on Friday – and major demonstration in Victoria Park on Sunday – get the green light
The police have barred a prominent organiser of Hong Kong rallies from holding a march on Sunday, saying the group could not ensure public safety given the escalating violence at recent protests.
This is the first time the Civil Human Rights Front, which leads the annual pro-democracy march on July 1 and drew a turnout of 2 million for a protest June, has had its protest plans banned, according to former leader Jackie Hung Ling-yu.
In a letter to the group, the police cited 18 anti-government demonstrations held since June that ended in violence and injuries. Five of them were held by the front.
“Protesters not only got violent, engaged in arson and large-scale road blockage, but also used petrol bombs, steel balls, bricks, iron bars and other self-made weapons to destroy public property, disturb social peace and cause injuries,” the police letter said.
The front was allowed to go ahead with a rally at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay from 10am to 11pm on Sunday. A turnout of 300,000 is expected.
But its plan for a march from the park to Chater Road in Central was not approved. The police said there was reason to believe that some participants would deviate from the proposed route and “get out of control”.
