Political group to monitor protest against 'parallel traders' in Yuen Long
Group to send observers to monitor and record demonstration in Yuen Long with eye on possible court action amid fear of clashes
More than 100 observers and a team of legal experts will be deployed by a political group to monitor a protest against mainland traders in Yuen Long today, its chairman said.
Lawmaker Leung Che-cheung, who chairs the New Territories Association of Societies, said observers would monitor and record the protest with a view to possible legal action after violent clashes at previous demonstrations.
Today's protest, organised by radical groups Civic Passion and Frontline Democracy, is the third in a month targeting so-called parallel traders, who buy goods in Hong Kong for resale across the border. Protests in Tuen Mun and Sha Tin last month forced stores to close, while police made several arrests and used pepper spray.
Rumours on internet forums suggested some Yuen Long residents were planning a counter-protest to "protect" the town, perhaps by throwing objects at the protesters.
Leung called for calm, but said: "There are some retailers who said they would retaliate against the actions. We hope all parties remain rational and peaceful."
He said he had not heard of any plan to throw items at protesters. Nor had he heard rumours of triads being called in, after police sources said they had warned rural strongmen about attempting to involve such gangs.
Wong Tat-kwong, president of the Yuen Long branch of the Commercial and Industrial General Association, said his organisation also reserved the right to take legal action.
