Protesters defy police rally ban, disrupt traffic in Yuen Long
HONG KONG – Hundreds of demonstrators have defied a police ban to a take part in a rally in Yuen Long to pressure the government to meet their demands on Saturday.
Traffic was disrupted from around 3 pm as protesters occupied Yuen Long Tai Yuk Road and Castle Peak Road to kick-started the unauthorized procession.
The rally, from Shui Pin Tsuen Playground to Yuen Long MTR station, was banned by the police on Thursday due to safety concerns. An appeal board upheld the police’s decision on Friday, on the grounds that it poses the risk of violent clashes between protesters and villagers in the district.
The rally organizer, Max Chung kin-ping, said on Friday he would go ahead to walk the route alone despite the police ban.
In view of the possible chaos in the area, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced the early closure of some of its facilities such as swimming pool and stadium in Yuen Long on Saturday. Some shops also closed business early.
The city’s Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung on Friday called on people to express their views in a peaceful manner.
He added that people who participate in unauthorized rallies faced the risk of being arrested for illegal assembly, an offense punishable by a fine of HK$5,000 ($640) and up to five years in prison.
Saturday’s procession was planned on the back of violent attacks on commuters on the train and at Yuen Long station on Sunday, which sparked anger by what some saw as an inadequate police response. At least 45 people were injured in the attacks.
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