Police ban Mong Kok march, but agree to a rally

The organisers, including Ng Wing-tak (pictured), had hoped to hold a march through Mong Kok. File photo: RTHK

The police have given permission for protesters to hold a rally in Mong Kok this Saturday, although they have banned the subsequent march the organisers were planning.



The police have issued a "Letter of No Objection" for a rally at the Anchor Street Playground from 2.30pm.



But they've been told they can't then hold a march along busy roads such as Nathan Road and Dundas Street to the intended finishing point at the MacPherson Stadium in Nelson Street.



The police say they are concerned the organisers wouldn't be able to control the march participants and due to the high volume of pedestrians and vehicles in the Mong Kok area, any violent incidents would put people's safety in jeopardy.



The force also says that any road closures would affect the operations of nearby ambulance and fire stations and Kwong Wah Hospital.



It's the third time in a week that police have refused to allow a march, after violent clashes followed some of the many other recent extradition bill protests.



Although planned marches in Yuen Long and Sheung Wan last weekend were rejected by the force, they both went ahead regardless, and both descended into violence.