7月17日立法會議員何君堯及十數人到警察總部外請願,要求警方就近期遊行集會,停止發出不反對通知書。何說在公園集會等較和平的方式不成問題,但就反對佔領和衝擊等對公眾構成影響的示威活動。
警方早前向昨日元朗遊行、今日上環遊行及於中山紀念公園的集會發出反對通知書,但今日可在下午在遮打花園集會,似乎按足何君堯要求,考慮到他背後的勢力,發展令人擔憂。
遊行發起人劉頴匡昨日向公眾集會及遊行上訴委員會提出上訴,但遭駁回。劉頴匡向本報表示,很想繼續遊行,但見昨日元朗和平參與活動的市民被警方冷血對待,打至頭破血流,令他擔心呼籲今日遊行會有市民受傷。
劉頴匡強調今日在遮打花園的集會合法,「可能是最後一次合法的反送中集會」,他會確保參與者和平安全,呼籲市民參與,亦安排30個或以上的糾察維持秩序。
Police Bans Sheung Wan March – Second After Junius Ho’s Call
On 17 July, legislator Junius Ho Kwan-yiu and a dozen people went to the police headquarters to petition the police to stop issuing letter of no-objection for recent protest marches. Ho said that a more peaceful way of gathering in a park is not a problem, but he is against demonstrations that affect the public, such as occupation and attacks.
The police have issued notices of objection to the Yuen Long march yesterday plus today’s Sheung Wan march and the rally in the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park. However, police allows a rally at Chater Garden today, apparently following Junius Ho’s request precisely, a worrying development considering the forces behind him.
The march organiser Ventus Lau appealed to the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions yesterday but was dismissed. Lau said that he really wanted to continue the march. However, the citizens who joined the peaceful march in Yuen Long yesterday were treated with cold blood by the police. They were so devastated that he was worried that the public will be injured in the march today.
Lau stressed that the rally in Chater Garden is legal today and “may be the last legal anti-extradition rally.” He will ensure the participants’ peace and security, appeal to the public to participate, and arranged 30 or more marshalls to maintain order.