Upset organisers end protest early
A poorly attended but noisy march in Macau against alleged government corruption ended early yesterday and largely without incident, despite changes to the route and a heavy police presence.
Fewer than 100 people turned up for the protest, which organisers had initially hoped would attract between 800 and 1,000.
The march included more than 20 slow-riding motorcyclists.
The march began about 2.30pm at a crossroads where police fired shots seven months ago during a Labour Day march by thousands of workers.
Those participating in yesterday's protest called on others to join them but accused the police of blocking their attempts.
About two-thirds along the route, at about 4.30pm, frustrated organisers announced they were ending the protest, burning a protest letter they had intended to give to Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah.
During the march in May, a police officer fired five warning shots near a funeral home where the chief executive's family was mourning his elder brother, Ho Hau-chio.
The bullet struck a man in his 50s on a motorbike with his son.
On Thursday, which is the eighth anniversary of Macau's handover to China, unionists are predicting a turnout of between 10,000 to 20,000 people for what is expected to be Macau's largest demonstration in years.
