Organizers of Hong Kong’s annual march on July 1 said that over 550,000 people took part, breaking the record in 2014 when 510,000 Hongkongers came out to demand universal suffrage in electing the city’s top official.
The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI) gave different estimates. It said at least 374,000 was marching through the Arsenal Street during the peak.
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government has responded with strong words to a group of protesters who broke into the legislature building by smashing glass doors earlier in the evening.
“Some radical protesters stormed the Legislative Council Complex with extreme violence. These protesters seriously jeopardized the safety of police officers and members of the public. Such violent acts are unacceptable to society,” according to a statement.
“Hong Kong is a society that respects the rule of law, and has never tolerated violence. Protesters who resort to violence must stop their acts immediately,” the unnamed spokesperson said in an earlier statement, adding that the police will “take appropriate enforcement action to protect public order and safety.” The government had sent out a red alert asking everyone to leave the building.
The city’s Hospital Authority said so far 43 people have been injured in clashes with the police. Thirty-seven have since been discharged from the hospital. At least two are still being treated.
Falun Gong Practitioners Take Part in Hong Kong Anniversary March
The anniversary march is still ongoing, four hours after it started when protesters began marching from Victoria Park.Many protesters decided not to travel to Victoria Park to join the march. Instead, they joined from different streets connecting to Hennessy Road, the scheduled march route connecting Victoria Park and Chater Road, the end point of the march.
At Victoria Park, there were a handful of protesters voluntarily cleaning up the trash left behind.
Also taking part in the anniversary march were practitioners of Falun Gong, who are raising awareness of the ongoing persecution in China.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient spiritual practice with meditative exercises and moral teachings based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The practice became enormously popular by the late 1990s, with official estimates putting the number of adherents at about 70 to 100 million in China.
However, former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin viewed the group’s popularity as a threat to his rule. On July 20, 1999, Jiang launched a country-wide persecution to round up practitioners and throw them into prisons, brainwashing centers, labor camps, and psychiatric wards—in an effort to force them to abandon their faith.
Anniversary March in Hong Kong Continues As Protesters Demand Government Withdraw Extradition Bill
At around 3 p.m. local time, thousands of protesters began their march across Hong Kong, demanding that the local government withdraw a controversial extradition bill.The march is still ongoing. At present there is no official estimate of the number of people taking part from either the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), organizer of the march, or the local police.
Meanwhile, a separate protest involving a group of rogue protesters outside the Legislative Council (LegCo) has continued. Hong Kong media organization HK01 reported that these protesters again tried to ram a car against a glass wall at around 5 p.m., in an apparent effort to get inside the building. They first tried to use the car against a glass wall at around 1:30 p.m.
Standing close by were some lawmakers of the pan-democratic camp, including Claudia Mo, Lam Cheuk-ting, and Leung Yiu-chung, who urged protesters to remain calm. The lawmakers added that there is no planned legislative session today or tomorrow.
Some of them disagreed with the forceful move, saying that the police might accuse protesters of using violence.
However, some supported the forceful attempt, saying that “upgraded actions” are needed, given that the Hong Kong government has not responded to their demands following two major protests last month.
A march on June 9 drew just over a million people and another on June 16 was attended by 2 million.
Much Anticipated Anniversary March Begins in Hong Kong: Photos
Thousands of protesters have begun their march across Hong Kong, calling on the Hong Kong government to withdraw a controversial extradition bill.A Chinese student surnamed Zhou from Shanghai took part in the march. When asked by RTHK if he was afraid of being recognized, he said that he had nothing to hide because the demands of the protesters were correct.
A Hongkonger surnamed Leung who is in the education sector said he was joining the march with his wife and son. He said that he had decided to come because he is worried about the impact of the bill on his rights.
He added that he also disagrees with how Hong Kong police had reacted with force against protesters on June 12.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people continue to stand-off with police outside the Legislative (LegCo) Building after rogue protesters smashed a metal cart against a glass wall of the LegCo in an apparent effort to get inside the building.
Earlier, two pan-democracy camp lawmakers, Leung Yiu-chung and Kwok Ka-ki, were injured while trying to stop these protesters, according to RTHK.
Several pro-democratic lawmakers joined attempted to dissuade those who were charging at the glass walls, urging for calm.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo could be heard warning the disruptors that rioting charges under Hong Kong law are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Hong Kongers Gather at Victoria Park to Participate in Anniversary March, Rogue Protesters Storm Building
Crowds of people, many of them dressed in black, have begun to fill Victoria Park to participate in the anniversary march that is set to begin at around 3 p.m. local time.
The atmosphere was extremely tense.
Two pan-democracy camp lawmakers, Leung Yiu-chung and Kwok Ka-ki, were injured while trying to stop these protesters, according to RTHK.
Hong Kong police inside the LegCo responded by pepper spreading these protesters.
At around 2:15 p.m. local time, Hong Kong media HK01 reported that some of these protesters had splashed red ink on some pan-democracy lawmakers, including Lam Cheuk-ting. Several lawmakers continued to urge the protesters to stay calm.
At around 2:30 p.m. local time, CHRF announced that it will proceed with the march, after failing to come to an agreement with the local police. Senior Superintendent Kong Wing-Cheung had asked organizers at 2 p.m. to postpone the march due to the clashes at LegCo.
However, the CHRF agree to change the end point of the march to Chater Road instead of LegCo.
Hong Kong Protest Leaders Harassed Ahead of Anniversary March
Four different cases of harassment were reported in Hong Kong less than a day before the start of the planned July 1 march to mark the handover of Hong Kong back to China under Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule. Two individuals, one political party and a radio station are known to have been targeted so far.Wong said that he had been receiving calls to his cellphone every three seconds beginning from around 7:50 a.m. local time on July 1. The repeated calls prevented him from using his cellphone.
According to Wong, all the numbers used to call his cellphone have been different.
Both Wong and Chung added that they had to switch their phones to “airplane mode” to avoid the incessant calls.
On Chung’s Facebook page, a Facebook user named “Acr Varok Footman” commented that those who were calling could have been wanting to know his location, and suggest he either get a new SIM card or set up a white list that would only allow specified callers to reach him.
Another user continued to mock China for “deploying its ‘national stability’ apparatus.”
People Power said the break in was a move to intended to oppress the ongoing protest in Hong Kong and their freedom of speech.
Metro Reopens
At around 11:00 a.m. local time, Hong Kong media NOW reported that two metro stations, Wan Chai and Admiralty, which were closed earlier today around 7 a.m. before Carrie Lam attended a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square, have been reopened to the public.
Local police had reportedly used pepper spray to disperse protesters at Harcourt Road around 7:30 a.m.
Protesters Still Gathered Outside Government Offices
Preparations for Annual March
At around 12:30 p.m. local time, HK01 reported that several organizations have set up their booths along the march route in preparation for the July 1 march.
At around 12:45 local time, HK reported that Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), organizer of the protest, announced that the march will officially start at 3 p.m. local time.
Additionally, some Hongkongers dressed in black—the official color designed CHRF—have gathered at East Point Road, which is about 0.4 mile away from Victoria Park, the starting point of the march.
Protesters Demand More Government Action After Hong Kong Leader’s Statement
Protesters have demanded that the Hong Kong government address their concerns, after a short speech by leader Carrie Lam at a ceremony to mark the handover of the city to Chinese sovereignty.
The dispute began back in February this year, when her government introduced a controversial extradition bill, which would allow any country, including mainland China, to seek extradition of suspects accused of a crime. Many Hongkongers remain worried that if the bill were to pass, Beijing could pressure the city government to hand over citizens of any nationality to face trial in the Chinese regime’s courts under trumped-up charges.
There have already between two major protests—a march on June 9 that drew 1.03 million people and another on June 16 attended by 2 million. In the afternoon today, a high turnout is expected for another march that is set to begin from Victoria Park to Admiralty.
Lam added that she thoroughly understood how, as a politician, she must be aware of public sentiment. She elaborated that her government will move to be “more open and inclusive” of different views.
Protesters clashed with police on June 12 after some protesters tried to break a police line outside the legislature where lawmakers were set to debate the bill. After clearing the LegCo lobby, police used pepper spray, tear gas, rubber bullets, and bean bags to disperse the hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered peacefully on surrounding streets. Over 80 civilians were injured.
According to RTHK, some protesters said that Lam’s remarks were intended for her pro-Beijing supporters. Others said that Lam had still not heeded their calls for the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill.
Hong Kong media HK01 spoke to a protester surnamed Chan at Harcourt Road who commented that Lam’s speech was a “political show.”
Another protester named Marco told HK01 that Lam’s speech was merely “government talk” to ease public anger.
Both Chan and Marco said they will be joining the July 1 march, which is set to begin from Victoria Park this afternoon.
Hong Kong media NOW reported at 9:30 a.m. local time that some protesters were slowing moving out of Harcourt Road and Lung Wui Road around LegCo to Tim Mei Avenue, which faces both the Hong Kong government headquarters and LegCo.
Around 10 a.m. local time, HK01 reported that some protesters, who had gathered at Lung Wo Road and Lung Hop Street earlier in the day, were moving to the demonstration area outside of the LegCo.
Hong Kong Protests Start Early on Handover Anniversary, Annual March Set to Begin In Afternoon
Protesters against the expanding power of the Chinese regime in Hong Kong and the recent extradition bill from the government began to gather near government headquarters in Admiralty at around 4 a.m. local time on July 1, according to Hong Kong media.The day marks the anniversary of Hong Kong being handed back by the United Kingdom to China under the Chinese Communist Party in 1997.
By 6 a.m. local time, the number of protesters gathered at Admiralty’s Lung Hop Street that leads to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) building holding umbrellas numbered close to 100, according to media reports.
Meanwhile, around 200 people had gathered nearby at Harcourt Road by 7 a.m. local time, with police in riot gear seen close by. Just weeks earlier, hundred of thousands of protesters had gathered on Harcourt Rd to request the government withdraw its extradition bill from debate and voting by the pro-Beijing majority LegCo.
Hong Kong media reported on July 1 that Hong Kong lawmaker Jeremy Tam, a member of the pro-democracy Civic Party, was on site with the morning protesters.
Some protesters yelled the slogan “Return us Golden Bauhinia Square,” while others waved “Black Bauhinia” flags. The Bauhinia, or Hong Kong Orchid Tree, became the emblem of Hong Kong when it was still a British colony.
Around 7:00 a.m., it was reported that Hong Kong metro authorities shut down two metro stations: Wan Chai and Admiralty, preventing more protesters from traveling to join the protesters. It is not known for how long the shutdown will last.
A flag-raising ceremony was held around 8 a.m. local time at Golden Bauhinia Square, which was attended by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam. A banquet to celebrate the handover was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is located at the Square, and the event ended at around 8:15 a.m. local time.
At Harcourt Road, local police reportedly used pepper spray to disperse protesters at around 7:30 a.m. local time.
Some of the protesters gathered at Citic Tower and an ambulance was called to assist an injured protester. It is not known how the protester got injured. HK01 reported that Democractic Party lawmaker Roy Kwong assisted in calling the ambulance.
HK01 reported that some protesters also gathered on Lung Wu Road right outside the LegCo building.
Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), an umbrella body of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy groups, has announced that the July 1 march will begin from Victoria Park, with locals asked to gather from 2:30 p.m. local time. The scheduled route will run through Causeway Bay before reaching Admiralty, where the Hong Kong government’s offices are located.
