Appeal Board Refuses To Overturn Rally Bans

An appeal board has dismissed a pro-democracy district councillor's bid to overturn police bans on rallies he had hoped to hold on Sunday and July 1.

Eastern district councillor Andy Chui had wanted to stage a march from East Point Road in Causeway Bay to Chater Road in Central on both days.

Chui had proposed social distancing measures for participants in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the city's public gathering limit of 50 people.

But the force cited public health concerns and violence which erupted on July 1 last year in refusing permission for the demonstrations.

Chui presented his arguments before the appeal board on Saturday, but they agreed with the police decision.

"They claimed that if they passed our application it would seriously affect the police from doing their job," Chui said.

He also rejected the claim that fears of coronavirus spreading among rally participants was one of the reasons for the ban, pointing out that people are now allowed to gather in large groups in various places, including the city's theme parks.

On Saturday, the police also banned the Civil Human Rights Front from holding its annual July 1 pro-democracy march on Hong Kong Island. The front said it would appeal against the decision.