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Hong Kong national security law
Hong KongPolitics

Hong Kong national security law: police ban July 1 march planned to protest against legislation

  • Officers cite public health concerns and violence in previous demonstrations to ban the proposed gathering
  • But the Civil Human Rights Front says it will appeal against the decision and will go ahead with planned actions

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The July 1 march attracted an estimated 550,000 people last year. Photo: Dickson Lee
Natalie Wong
Hong Kong police have banned the annual July 1 march, with many primed on Wednesday to protest against the imposition of the national security law, while an appeal board refused to overturn the force’s ban on a Sunday rally planned by district councillors.
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The Civil Human Rights Front, organiser of the July 1 march, said on Saturday it would appeal against the decision and would not withdraw its earlier calls for people to march from Victoria Park to government headquarters in Admiralty at 3pm on the day, even if the plea was dismissed.

“The police’s repeated suppression of people’s right to assemble sends a clear message to the world that human rights in Hong Kong have been eroded,” said Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, the front’s convenor. “It could get even worse after the national security law is passed.”

To ban the march, police cited a social-distancing regulation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic that prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people and advice from the Department of Health that contact should be minimised to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The force’s letter to the front also listed eight previous rallies it organised since June last year in which police observed violence during or after their dismissal.

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“The force believes that even though [social-distancing measures] are put in place, the aim of safeguarding public order, public safety and protecting others rights and freedom will not be achieved,” police said.

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