Pro-democracy organisers defy Hong Kong officials over July 1 rally and tell supporters to join march along the route

Appeal board orders procession to begin in Victoria Park and police warn of ‘conflicts and chaos’ if supporters try to join march in major shopping district

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Senior superintendent Tse Ming-yeung has warned pro-democracy supporters not to try and join the march along the route. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 8:57pm, 25 Jun 2018Updated: 10:50pm, 25 Jun 2018

Organisers of Hong Kong’s annual July 1 pro-democracy rally have told supporters not to flock to Victoria Park this weekend but to join the march as it passes through one of the city’s busiest shopping districts – despite being ordered not to do so.

The Civic Human Rights Front made the announcement on Monday, after its plea for marchers to be allowed to assemble at locations outside the park was dismissed following a three-hour hearing of the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions.

Police had ordered the procession to begin on the central lawn of the park, and in response to the front’s call, senior superintendent Peter Tse Ming-yeung warned such a move “could lead to conflict and chaos”.

A map showing Causeway Bay, one of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping districts. Graphic: SCMP

Hung Chun-ngai, the front’s deputy convenor, has asked supporters joining the march in Causeway Bay on Sunday to do so from the westbound side of Hennessy Road, as the procession moves towards Admiralty.

However, he was quick to stress the group would still start from the park, but would only get the “necessary groups” to assemble there.

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