Lawmaker's microblog muzzled
A lawmaker's microblog, with posts encouraging participation in the July 1 rally, was shut down yesterday as the authorities tightened internet control ahead of the handover anniversary.
The incident occurred as activists say they are planning to confront President Hu Jintao and hand him a petition to demand a fair investigation into democracy activist Li Wangyang's death.
Civic Party lawmaker Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said she was restricted from accessing her microblog after posting messages about the July 1 rally and Li's death.
Eu said that when she logged on to her Sina Weibo account yesterday, she was shown this message: 'Your microblog had published content that did not match internet requirements. Your account cannot be used temporarily.
'It is suggested that you share some positive and healthy content with other netizens.'
Hu is likely to face intense protests when he visits Hong Kong for the 15th handover anniversary, and local police are gearing up for a hectic weekend.
It is understood that police will deploy roughly 6,000 officers for three days during Hu's visit. Hu's personal security detail will be strengthened with a three-tier security arrangement.
Under this highest standard, the president will be surrounded by a ring of VIP protection unit officers, followed by the Police Tactical Unit, and uniformed officers in the outer security ring.
Officers have been told not to take leave from Thursday to next Monday, and not to block the media's cameras to avoid a repeat of the uproar during Vice-Premier Li Keqiang's visit last year.
The Civil Human Rights Front expects at least 50,000 participants in the July 1 rally, and hopes it will top last year's figure of 218,000, given the recent protests over Li's death and the discovery of illegal structures at the home of chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying.
The front says it will mobilise about 2,000 protesters to march from Causeway Bay to Wan Chai on June 30, which will be followed by a protest at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Hu would be attending an event.
The front said it planned to submit a petition with 85,000 signatures to Hu to seek a fair and transparent probe into Li's death.
Avery Ng Man-yuen, vice-chairman of the League of Social Democrats, and Alliance chairman Lee Cheuk-yan, said they would adopt a 'guerilla tactic' to follow Hu wherever he goes. Meanwhile, Christopher Lau Gar-hung, chairman of pro-democracy group People Power, said they would have a candlelight vigil for Li at Central Plaza on June 30. They will also try to get close to Hu to demand an explanation for Li's death, as well as Leung's resignation.
People Power is expecting as many as 5,000 people to march to Beijing's liaison office on July 1, while other activists are expecting several hundred people at the march.
3,000
The approximate number of officers who protected Vice-Premier Li Keqiang last year - half the number who will guard President Hu Jintao
