Police ban-anti-communism march, allow rally

Police say they will stop the rally if violence breaks out. Photo: RTHK

The police have banned a march on Sunday that was billed as an anti-communism event, citing violence that erupted during two recent demonstrations.



The force has, however, allowed the march organiser, a group calling itself Civil Assembly Team, to organise a protest rally at Chater Garden and Chater Road in Central on Sunday.



But police said they would break up the rally and disperse the crowd if violence or chaos erupted in the vicinity.



Announcing its decision late on Thursday, the force cited two marches organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, at which violence broke out and nearby courts were vandalised.



The march organiser said it would appeal against the decision.



The police have banned numerous protest marches in recent months as social unrest, first prompted by a now-withdrawn extradition bill seven months ago, grips the SAR.