January 1 rally organisers worry over security 'chaos'

Organisers of the January 1 march demanding Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s resignation are worried that poor police arrangements might lead to chaos, they said on Wednesday.

The Civil Human Rights Front had notified the police earlier that about 50,000 protesters would take part in the march, from Victoria Park to the government headquarters in Admiralty, beginning at 3pm.

Group convenor Jackie Hung Ling-yu said on Wednesday afternoon that she hoped for a turnout of hundreds of thousands of people.

She was concerned by the police’s strict ban on stalls being erected by participating groups along the march route. Further, she is concerned that the police decision to allow a pro-Leung rally in Tamar Park – near their anti-Leung rally at night – might lead to conflict.

“There is a chance that conflicts may break out [because our rally will be close to the pro-Leung rally],” Hung said. “We will try our best to prevent chaos.”

The anti-Leung rally is scheduled from 7pm to 10pm, and it might continue if protesters want to stay, said Ho Chi-kwan, convenor of event co-organiser the League in Defence of Hong Kong’s Freedoms.

Meanwhile, the pro-Leung rally – organised by the Voice of Loving Hong Kong – will be held at the nearby Tamar Park Amphitheatre from 3pm to 8pm.