Hong Kong police are to deploy thousands of officers along the annual July 1 march route tomorrow in the wake of Sunday’s clashes between localist and pro-Beijing supporters.
Around 3,000 officers will be on guard to deal with the 100,000 or so demonstrators expected by march organisers, a police source told the SCMP.
Tensions are perhaps higher than usual after Sunday’s clash between radical anti-mainland activists and pro-Beijing groups.
The altercation, which resulted in police using pepper spray and arresting five people, started over complaints about mainland “aunties” dancing and singing in Putonghua at Sai Yeung Choi Street South in Mong Kok.
Although not on the march route from Victoria Park to Tim Mei Avenue in Admiralty, Kowloon West will reportedly be monitored by 200 extra police officers tomorrow.
The annual demonstrations, organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, will this year run under the tagline “A democratic Hong Kong, regain the future of our city.”
Photo: laihiuyeung ryanne via Wikicommons
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