A new series of events and demonstrations are set to take place in Hong Kong this week, after the latest protest against the controversial extradition bill attracted hundreds of thousands last Sunday.
This Sunday, a march will be held in Shatin at 3:30pm. According to organisers, the Shatin Commons community group, protesters will ask for a complete withdrawal of the extradition bill, the unconditional release of all arrested protesters, the formation of an independent commission of inquiry into police behaviour, as well as universal suffrage.
They will also support a motion to be discussed at the Shatin District Council against the extradition bill, and condemn the “violent clearance” of the protests in Kowloon last Sunday.
Tobias Leung, the convener of Shatin Commons who applied for a letter of no objection from the police, told HKFP that they applied for the letter expecting 1,000 people to march. However, they expect 10,000 to turn up after last Sunday’s rally attracted 230,000, according to organisers.
The tentative route will take demonstrators from Chui Tin Street Soccer Pitch in Tai Wai to the Sha Tin Government Offices. Leung said the office had disqualified up to five pro-democracy candidates in past elections.
“As we fight for universal suffrage, we need to secure Hong Kong people’s basic political rights,” Leung said. After the march, Lost In the Fumes, a documentary about jailed activist Edward Leung, will be screened outside the Sha Tin Town Hall at 8pm.
Parallel traders
Spurred by the momentum of the anti-extradition movement, protesters are also calling for a “reclaim Sheung Shui” rally on Saturday targeting parallel traders in the area. The North District Parallel Imports Concern Group, who helped organised the demonstration, said it will be peaceful.
The group said that – as of January – there were 462 shops in the Sheung Shui area which were mostly serving mainland tourists. It represents a sharp increase compared to 142 in 2013, with some residents concerned that it harms the number of choices available for daily grocery shopping.
Although it has yet to receive official approval from the police, organisers said they will start from the basketball court of the North District Sports Ground at 3:30pm Saturday.
Meanwhile, a group of individuals said on the popular LIHKG forum that they were planning to march on July 28 from Tseung Kwan O’s Po Tsui Park to the nearby Hong Kong Velodrome Park, via Tseung Kwan O Police Station and government complex. Details are being discussed with the police.
Pictures calling for people to take money out of the Bank of China from July 13 – should the government not respond to protesters’ demands the day before – have also been widely shared, but details are scarce.
Mourning events
There will be a memorial ceremony for a protester who fell to his death in an incident related to the extradition law protests. A public farewell ceremony will be held for Marco Leung on Thursday between 2pm and 10pm at Java Road Playground in North Point.
If you are experiencing negative feelings, please call: The Samaritans 2896 0000 (24-hour, multilingual), Suicide Prevention Centre 2382 0000 or the Social Welfare Department 2343 2255. The Hong Kong Society of Counselling and Psychology provides a WhatsApp hotline in English and Chinese: 6218 1084. See also: HKFP’s comprehensive guide to mental health services in Hong Kong
