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Protestors conducted a public procession on Container Port Road South in Kwai Chung today (April 25) without prior notice to Police according to the law. Though warnings had been issued to the protestors, they refused to cooperate and discuss appropriate crowd management and traffic diversion arrangements with the Police.
The protestors have been conducting public events outside the Kwai Chung Container Terminal and in Central since March 28. They failed to give prior notice to the Police about their processions according to the law for a number of times, and blocked the traffic and committed acts endangering the safety of other people. They conducted another procession today outside the Container Terminal, again without prior notice to Police according to the law. During the procession, they occupied the lanes of Container Port Road South, walked slowly with intent and stopped at intervals, causing serious obstruction to the road, paralysing the traffic in the vicinity of the Container Terminal, disregarding the safety of their own and endangering the safety of other people. Despite repeated appeals and warnings issued by the Police, the protestors refused to cooperate and continue the blockade that affected public safety. Police expressed regret over their behaviour and would follow up on the legal liabilities of the people concerned.
Police emphasize that we respect peopleˇ¦s rights of expression, freedom of speech and assembly. Police appeal again to the protestors that they should abide by the law and order of the society and express their views in a peaceful and rational manner.
Police Report No. 181
Ends/Thursday, April 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:46
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