Street counters eyed to fight rally ban

Erin Chan

At least two groups will set up street counters across the city to fight against the ban on July 1 marches.

The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions will set up around three to four street counters in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay on the day while the League of Social Democrats plans to set up two on Great George Street in Causeway Bay.

Mung Siu-tat, the confederation's chief executive, said his group would use street counters to compensate for the ban on the July 1 march which he deemed "an important tradition of Hong Kong's civic society."

He said the street counters would call upon the release of political prisoners and mount an opposition to political oppression.

Mung added that his group would abide by social-distancing measures in each of its counters, including the four-people gathering cap.

"Erecting street counters is legal, and I hope the police can respect the rights of citizens to voice their opinion via the counters," he said.

Raphael Wong Ho-ming, chairman of the League of Social Democrats, said that depending on how heavy the police presence is on July 1, his group might adjust the number of its street counters on the day.

The Democratic Party, which set up 17 street counters with fundraising boxes last year, said it would not do the same tomorrow amid the rapid downturn of the political environment.

"We predict that there will be heavy police presence on July 1, and people might be arrested before they even step out."

Meanwhile, the appeal against the police's ban on July 1 marches was dismissed yesterday, with the police citing social distancing measures.

The appeal's outcome was announced after a hearing chaired by the Security Bureau's appeal board on public meetings and processions.

erin.chan@singtaonewscorp.com