Huge turnout expected for July 1 march as Tropical Storm Rumbia nears
Amid claims of threats and attempts to deter protesters, organisers of rally are confident of mass support in campaign for universal suffrage
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Hong Kong for the annual July 1 march today to demand universal suffrage and action on social issues.
Pro-democracy groups are confident the turnout on the day that marks the 16th year since the handover will be massive, despite alleged threats and attempts to deter people from marching.
University of Hong Kong associate law professor Benny Tai Yiu-ting, an organiser of the Occupy Central movement, said the turnout would give an indication of how many people will join the programme of civil disobedience due to start next year.
The weather, however, may be a factor. The Hong Kong Observatory said it would consider issuing typhoon signal No 3 today as tropical storm Rumbia edged closer to Hong Kong.
The march will be postponed until next Sunday if a No 8 or a black rainstorm signal is raised.
Icarus Wong Ho-yin, vice-convenor of march organiser the Civil Human Rights Front, said social grievances in the city were now more severe and numerous than in 2003, when 500,000 people took to the streets on July 1.