Hong Kong police ban significant security law protest
28 June, 2020
Hong Kong police on Saturday (Jun 27) banned a major demonstration against China's planned countrywide security laws for metropolis which critics fear would smother the fiscal hub's treasured freedoms, organisers said.
The Civil Individual Rights Front (CHRF) said the force had rejected its applications for rallies on Jul 1, the 23rd anniversary of the former British colony's handover to China.
Police cited a risk of violence and said the gatherings and march would "pose a serious threat to public wellbeing" as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
CHRF, which was accountable for a few of last year's unprecedented million-persons demonstrations, said they would appeal the decision.
The semi-autonomous city has been convulsed by a year of huge and often violent rallies that commenced with an eventually aborted criminal extradition Expenses but morphed into a popular call for democracy and police accountability.
In May, Beijing announced a draft national security law - which will bypass Hong Kong's legislature - to tackle "terrorism" and "separatism" in a restless city it now regards as a direct national security threat.
Regulations would enforce punishment for subversion and different offences in Hong Kong, but critics view it as potential knock-out blow for freedoms and autonomy enjoyed by the city.
US President Donald Trump's administration said on Friday it had been restricting visas for several Chinese officials for infringing on the autonomy of Hong Kong, as Congress seeks tougher sanctions.
The Chinese embassy in Washington said "nobody has any legal grounds or to make irresponsible comments on Hong Kong affairs".
The European Union also warned China it would face "extremely negative consequences" if it pressed ahead with the brand new law.
The law is expected to be voted on during a National People's Congress Standing up Committee meeting to be held from Sunday to Tuesday.
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