‘Election meetings’ proposal by pan-democrats to circumvent Victoria Park rally ban would still be considered illegal, Hong Kong police warn
- Organiser Ventus Lau’s earlier application for international aid rally deemed threat to public safety
- Two other rallies for Saturday in Central approved
Police have warned that “election meetings” in Victoria Park that were proposed by pan-democrats as a way of circumventing a ban on a rally application would still be considered illegal.
The force made the comments after activist Ventus Lau Wing-hong spoke alongside 128 district council elections candidates on Friday. He said events for candidates to meet potential voters – with turnout limited to no more than 50 participants each – would not require police approval under the Public Order Ordinance.
“I believe the election meetings at Victoria Park will be a good chance for voters to learn about the candidates,” Lau added.
Police had rejected his earlier application for a rally calling for international aid amid the city’s months-long anti-government movement. Senior Superintendent Ng Lok-chun said at a press conference on Friday that police had assessed Lau’s initial rally with an estimated attendance of 10,000 people to be a threat to public order and safety.
Ng said the so-called election meetings were then proposed by pan-democrats, but this was similar to the banned event. “In my interpretation, it is for the same purpose. It will contravene the law,” he said.
Police also shot down another rally in Tamar Park for Saturday night, on public safety grounds. An appeal by the organiser was rejected on Friday.
But two other Central rallies – in Chater Garden and Edinburgh Place – were approved. They will take place from 5pm to 10pm on Saturday.
Police to ban mass rally and march calling for universal suffrage, sources say
Participants are expected to fold origami birds as a form of peaceful protest, and call for the passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in the United States Senate, respectively. The US bill could pave the way for diplomatic action and economic sanctions against the city’s government.
Lau argued that all protests on Saturday would be peaceful, adding that demonstrations in support of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong would be held in 46 other cities.
Meanwhile, flash mobs appeared in two districts at lunchtime on Friday, as protesters occupied major thoroughfares to decry alleged police brutality.
Thousands of office workers showed up in Chater Garden in Central – the city’s financial district – while scores of people gathered at Tsun Yip Street Playground in Kowloon. The crowds then marched at both locations.
In Central, a key part of Des Voeux Road Central outside the Landmark office complex was occupied by protesters as they marched west. In Kwun Tong, part of Tsun Yip Street was blocked by marchers at one stage.
At Chater Garden, police raised a flag to warn about 500 demonstrators that they were breaking the law and could face prosecution before the march started at around 1pm along Des Voeux Road Central.
Protesters turned around at the Hang Seng Bank headquarters, and dispersed after returning to Chater Garden shortly before 2pm.
Police said the gathering was an illegal assembly and told protesters to remove their masks.
A finance worker in his 30s, who only gave his name as So, said the city was becoming a police state.
“How can they call a gathering of people in office attire illegal?” So said.
Selina Eng, who also works in finance, has so far joined three lunchtime protests.
“Hongkongers have reiterated our demands over and over again for five months now. We really don’t have an accountable government or police force any more,” she said.
Additional reporting by Kathleen Magramo and Kanis Leung
