About 800 mainland overstayers moved their base to Chater Garden, Central, yesterday to continue their fight for right of abode.
The gathering obtained police approval last night but was under surveillance by officers. Police said the protesters could stay until Wednesday midnight.
The 800 moved from outside the Central Government Offices, where some were involved in clashes with police on Friday after the court ruling in favour of the Government.
Father Franco Mella, who supports the protesters, called for calm and said he would consider taking the case to an international tribunal.
Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee urged the overstayers to return to the mainland and apply for certificates of entitlement - needed to prove right of abode - from there.
'What they are doing is futile because they cannot work and study here without an identity card. The best option for them is to go back to the mainland to submit their right of abode application,' she said.
