Tens of thousands took to the streets yesterday to vent their anger at the government and to call for the early implementation of universal suffrage.Preliminary research by the Hong Kong University Public Opinion Program put attendance at 24,072, but said the final figure would be more in the region of between 29,000 and 33,000.
But Civil Human Rights Front, the main organizer of the event, said about 76,000 were at Victoria Park when the march marking the 12th anniversary of the handover to SAR government headquarters began at 3.30pm - with the last group leaving at 5.15pm.
That compared with the 47,000 who took part last year, but fell far short of earlier estimates of around 100,000. However, police said only 26,000 left the park in Causeway Bay.
About 100 protesters remained outside the government headquarters late last night, hours after the rally ended.
There were angry exchanges with police who refused to let them into the building, but no arrests.
Former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang blamed poor police arrangements for the lower turnout.
Chan said she had been stuck in the park for more than an hour after police refused to open more exits to disperse protesters. This led to scuffles although there were no arrests.
"The fact so many turned up despite the heat shows the public is very dissatisfied with various policies," Chan said.
"The government should listen to the public and give us a clear roadmap and practical measures for univers
al suffrage when the consultation for constitutional reform begins in the fourth quarter of 2009." Among organizations making their debuts at what has become an annual event were staff from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, protesting against new policies regarding tree maintenance and the treatment of lifeguards.
Apart from calling for greater democracy, protesters also called for a review by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on the treatment of stray cats and dogs, an end to discrimination in the employment of ethnic minorities by the civil service, the preservation of landmarks such as the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry bus terminal and the scrapping of the proposed Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link to preserve nature.
About 40 people formed a "Complaints Choir" to sing out their frustrations.
Earlier, the Alliance of Lehman Brothers Victims claimed 25,000 took part in their march. Police put the turnout at 4,000.
About 100 protesters broke off from the march and attempted to storm the Bank of China building.
"Step down Donald Tsang Yam- kuen!" they cried while carrying banners that read: "Save HK, Dump Donald Tsang. 100 percent return on our investment." Alliance chairman Peter Chan Kwong-yue also criticized Tsang for awarding retiring Hong Kong Monetary Authority chief Joseph Yam Chi-kwong a Grand Bauhinia Medal.
A government spokesman said the administration fully respected the people's right to march and will give their views and demands full consideration.
On universal suffrage, the spokesman said the public will be consulted later this year on election arrangements for 2012, to pave the way toward full democracy.
Tsang said during the handover ceremony reception in the morning that human swine flu (H1N1) and the financial tsunami are the key challenges this year.
However, with "perseverance and determination, and most importantly with the all-out support of our country, I am sure we will again prove our resilience and mettle."
