A Hong Kong activist says she is being followed by unknown cars in the lead up to July 1, the anniversary marking the city’s return to China and traditionally a key protest date for the pro-democracy movement.
Chow Hang-tung, vice-chair of the group Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, wrote on Facebook Wednesday morning that she has noticed people tailing her.
“I know you know that you’re following me, yet you still continue,” Chow wrote in a series of tongue-in-cheek hashtags.
In another hashtag, she joked that she “grew up watching 007,” a reference to James Bond films.
Hong Kong celebrates its 24th year since the city’s handover to China Thursday, a particularly sensitive date this year as it is also the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party’s anniversary. Buses and trams across the city have been dressed up in splashy red and gold coats to herald the centenary.
After the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), which has organized marches on July 1 every year since the handover, announced they would not be doing so this year, three pro-democracy groups stepped up and said they would apply to hold the demonstration.
But police shot them down citing COVID-19 restrictions, marking the second year that July 1 protests have been banned.
“These events are extremely high risk, and police have reason to believe that these events would not only increase the risk of participants contracting COVID-19, but would also would pose a threat to public health,” Police Superintendent Cheung Chi-wai told reporters Tuesday.
More than 10,000 police officers will be deployed across the city to prevent the public from gathering, RTHK reported.
According to Stand News, Chow shared a photo on Facebook reading “See you at Victoria Park on July 1” Tuesday, but later deleted it.
Earlier this month, Chow was arrested on June 4, the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, for allegedly publicizing a banned assembly. She was released on bail and will report to police next month.
Reader Interactions