Ban On Sham Shui Po, North Point Maches Upheld

The Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions on Saturday upheld a police ban on anti-extradition marches in Sham Shui Po and North Point planned for Sunday.

Rejecting the appeal against the ban on Sham Shui Po march, the board said it believed a march or rally in that area would pose a serious threat to public order and security.

The police said it worried that some radical people would "hijack" the events, as there are calls online to bring protective gear and vandalise police stations. Officers stressed its decision was not politically motivated.

An organiser of the Sham Shui Po march, identified as Ho, said she's angry and unhappy with the board's decision.

However, she said she will no longer organise the march on Sunday, saying the plan is now "dead".

Later the board rejected appeal from the organisers of another anti-extradition march on Hong Kong island. The police had only approved a gathering at the Victoria Park but not a march from there to North Point.

Despite the ban, the North Point police station was surrounded by water barriers and a what looked a curtain draped over the building. Many shops in the area and nearby Taikoo Place said they won't be opening for business on Sunday.

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