'HK$6.5m Insurance Demanded For Mong Kok Protest'

Organisers of an anti-government march in Mong Kok this Saturday say police may not give them the green light, if they fail to take out insurance to the tune of HK$6.5 million.

Organisers and the police held a second meeting on Tuesday, during which officers refused to issue a Letter of No Objection, citing traffic and safety concerns.

Organisers said they were told the insurance requirement came from the the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

But they do not plan to comply.

Ng Wing-tak, one of the organisers, said the police would respond to them again in 48 hours.

The upcoming march is scheduled for 2:30pm to 7pm. It is to start at Anchor Street Playground and end at MacPherson Stadium, through a number of busy streets such as Nathan Road and Dundas Street.

Organisers have already complied with a police demand to lower the projected turnout from 10,000 to 5,000.

Ng said the refusal to grant permission would amount to suppressing freedom of speech, and that people would find other ways to express their demands.