Cynics may ridicule the so-called 'Anson Chan effect', saying the bubble of her political appeal burst on Saturday when the public rally drew a less-than-impressive turnout.
But it's too early to get cynical. It looks certain that the former chief secretary's dip into mass politics heralds significant changes on the political scene before and after next year's chief executive election. This was her second such event, after the December 4 rally last year.
The heralding of changes is not related to any unveiling of plans she may have to run in the election. She has given no hints, one way or another, and the guessing game is still on.
But her participation in the July 1 march prompted some pundits to speculate that she looks more likely to stand.
There is no doubt that she has distanced herself further from the political establishment, moving one step closer to the opposition camp and the general citizenry.
Pictures of her hand-in-hand with pan-democratic legislators earlier last week, and in Saturday's procession, tell it all.