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Police will facilitate a public assembly and public procession to be held on Hong Kong Island tomorrow (March 3) so it will be conducted in a safe and orderly manner. The procession will start from Victoria Park and go past Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Central to the New Central Government Complex.
Police appeal to the participants to exercise patience and proceed orderly, and follow the instructions of police officers and marshals of the organiser. Members of the public who wish to go to these areas are advised to plan early and use public transport as far as practicable. Motorists should drive carefully and patiently, follow the instructions of traffic police officers and pay attention to the traffic signs in the areas.
A Police spokesman said, "We respect the rights of the public to peaceful assemblies and processions and to express their views. After receiving the notification of the public order event concerned, we have maintained close liaison with the organiser and held meetings to discuss the route of the procession. Police have in fact offered five alternative routes of different length to the route which caused disagreement. One of the alternative routes is similar in length to the route proposed by the organiser. However, all alternatives were not accepted by the organiser.
"Police welcomed the ruling of the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions today regarding the route of the public procession tomorrow. We also noted that the organiser accepted the ruling. We are maintaining close contact with the organiser, and are working together to ensure the event be conducted in a safe and orderly manner in order to uphold public safety and public order, and minimise the impact of the event on other members of the public and road users."
Police and the Transport Department will closely monitor the traffic situation of the affected areas and implement appropriate measures to minimise the inconvenience caused to the public and road users. Motorists and the public should also stay alert to the latest traffic news broadcast on radio and television.
Police Report No. 276
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Friday, March 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 22:32
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