Leung Chun-ying protesters pledge to defy police ban on stalls

Pan-democrats have vowed to defy a surprise police ban on roadside political stalls during a march against Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on New Year's Day in which they hope to draw thousands of protesters.

The lawmakers, who yesterday demanded Leung's resignation, said without elaboration that they would adopt a policy of civil disobedience if the police deprived them of their rights.

Labour Party chairman Lee Cheuk-yan said the ban on stalls announced earlier this month reflected poorly on the state of democracy. "We used to set up stalls as a propaganda [aid] to pass our political message across the city," he said. "The police ban … will be a sign of democratic regression."

Officials have ruled that such stalls on January 1 would cause a "serious obstruction".

The pan-democrats have called on Hongkongers to wear black for the march, which will begin at 2.30pm in Victoria Park and finish at the government headquarters in Admiralty.

"Since Leung lacks credibility and integrity, he is incapable and unqualified to lead Hong Kong," said Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing.