Thousands march for animal rights in Hong Kong with protesters demanding abusers get 10 years behind bars
- Organisers surprised by number of people for rally that ends outside government headquarters in Admiralty
Thousands of people braved the scorching heat of Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon to march in support of animal rights as they called for harsher punishments for animal abusers.
Some protesters brought their pets, while others carried placards with slogans that said “stop animal abuse”, and “10 years in jail”, as they walked in 32.6 degrees Celsius temperatures from Chater Garden, in Central, to the government’s headquarters in Admiralty.
Organisers claimed some 6,000 people took part, while the police estimated the turnout at 900.
Democratic Party lawmaker Roy Kwong Chun-yu, who helped organise the event, said the turnout was unexpectedly big.
“That gives us a boost,” he said. “Now we can show the international community that we are ready and we will take action to protect animals.”
Another organiser, Mark Mak Chi-ho, executive chairman of the animal welfare group, the Non-Profit-making Veterinary Services Society, also said: “Animal abusers should be jailed for 10 years. They are taking lives.”