Organisers promise next major protest against Hong Kong’s extradition bill will be ‘peaceful, rational and graceful’ with the aim of gaining support from mainland Chinese visitors
- They dismiss concerns about the risk of violence and chaos seen at past protests, with at least 2,000 people expected to march on Sunday afternoon
- But MTR has stopped selling tickets for high-speed rail trips across border as rally is due to head to West Kowloon station after leaving Tsim Sha Tsui
Localist Ventus Lau Wing-hong, who negotiated the arrangements for the rally with police and the MTR Corporation, stressed that their intention was only to solicit support for their cause from visitors from across the border, and not to enter the railway station or storm into the so-called co-location zone where mainland customs and immigration officials exercise jurisdictional authority.
“We do not encourage or hope any protester will enter the mainland port area … we will not be so silly as to risk being sent to the mainland; I’m sure no one will,” Lau said after surveying the station on Saturday.
“But I would like to reiterate that West Kowloon station is a public facility that people can enter freely. I do not agree that the entrance should be closed because of the protest.”
