Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3047375/hong-kong-protests-ban-rally-marking-fourth-anniversary
Hong Kong/ Politics

Hong Kong protests: ban on rally marking fourth anniversary of Mong Kok riot upheld after police express fear radicals would hijack event

  • Organisers had asked appeals board to review original decision to stop Sunday’s rally
  • Three other events are planned for Lunar New Year holiday, including one in support of anti-government protesters
Masked rioters in Mong Kok clash with police over illegal food stalls during the Lunar New Year holiday in 2016. Photo: Edward Wong

A rally scheduled to be held in Hong Kong on Sunday has been called off, after an appeals board unanimously upheld the police ban of the event, saying it could pose a serious threat to public order and safety.

The rally in Mong Kok was among a series of activities planned by internet users for the Lunar New Year holiday, which begins on Saturday, or the first day of the Year of the Rat.

Planned activities include Lunar New Year fairs in places such as Tai Po, Fortress Hill and Kwun Tong from Tuesday to Friday, and a rally outside the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre on Friday night to support detained anti-governments protesters. Sunday’s rally had been intended to remember the fourth anniversary of the Mong Kok riot.

In February 2016, an evening of Lunar New Year festivities in Mong Kok – full of shoppers milling around street hawkers selling fishballs and chicken drumsticks – descended into chaos that led to police firing gun shots into the air.

At least 33 people have been convicted for various offences over the disturbance, including localist leader Edward Leung Tin-kei, who was jailed for six years for rioting and assaulting a police officer.

While 64 people have been charged, three of them – including Ray Wong Toi-yeung, founder of the localist Hong Kong Indigenous party – have skipped bail and fled overseas. A total of 26 others have been released, and one is still under investigation.

At Thursday’s appeal hearing, a police representative said the force objected to the plan by newly formed localist group, Nationwise, to rally on Sunday, because the event could be hijacked by radical protesters.

The representative pointed to the lethal weapons seized by police in recent months, and said there were signs violence used by radicals had been escalating.

Several police officers were also assaulted during a rally in Central last weekend, as they were trying to liaise with organisers, he added.

A representative for Nationwise said rather than advocating violence, the event was only meant to recount what happened in Mong Kok four years ago in a neutral way. They expected 500 people to take part.

Police Assistant Commander Joe Lee Cho-ming said the board had made the right decision.

“Police welcome the verdict of the appeal board, and would like to stress that the risk associated with this public meeting to be held on the second day of the Lunar New Year was very high,” he said.

Lee urged the organisers to respect the decision, as anyone taking part in an unauthorised assembly could be jailed up to five years.

He also accused radical protesters of causing extensive damage and hurting people in Mong Kok during the Christmas holidays.

“Our citizens already lost a peaceful Christmas in Mong Kok, police do not want the citizens to further lose a peaceful Lunar New Year,” he said.

Lee added that in recent years public safety and order had been well maintained in Mong Kok during the Lunar New Year holiday.

“In the Lunar New Year [holiday] next week, police and other departments … will continue to keep good law and order in Mong Kok, in order to let citizens enjoy a good festive atmosphere,” he said.

Nationwise later announced on Facebook they had cancelled the event.

“We will not be responsible for any public assembly [that may take place],” the group said.