Hong Kong women’s rights group breaks silence over ‘difficult’ decision to call off rally, says it could not satisfy police demands
- Hong Kong Women Workers’ Association says it received no-objection letter from police, but still decided to cancel demonstration
- Group planned march for last Sunday, ahead of International Women’s Day
A women’s rights group in Hong Kong that abruptly called off a planned rally for last Sunday has broken its silence over the decision, saying it could not satisfy police demands despite repeated attempts to revise its plans.
The Hong Kong Women Workers’ Association on Wednesday said some of its supporters had faced pressure and received warnings from authorities against participating in the rights demonstration.
The group described its decision to cancel the event as “difficult”, adding it could not satisfy police requirements despite “numerous” meetings and repeated attempts to change its plans.
“We had received the no-objection letter from police earlier, but we could not go ahead as planned. We express our regrets,” the group’s executive director Meilin Wu said.
After the association announced on Saturday its decision to cancel the march, police said violent groups could have joined the demonstration. But Wu declined to comment on whether the force had pressured the group to call off the event.
The group also did not disclose the conditions the force had listed in its letter of no objection.
The association in a statement said: “We had been looking forward to going out together on March 5 with friends who support women’s rights and making our voices heard.
“But eventually the event had to be cancelled. It was a very difficult decision. We feel resigned and regretful.”