July 1 Organisers Adamant They Won't Use Park Lawn

Organisers of the annual July 1 pro-democracy march said on Wednesday that this year's rally will begin from East Point Road in Causeway Bay with or without police permission, unless the force offers a suitable alternative.

The Civil Human Rights Front applied for permission in the middle of May to start the march at that location after being told that a pro-Beijing group had snapped up use of the traditional starting point – the park's football pitches – for the second year in a row.

Last year, the march began from the central lawn in the park instead. But the front's convenor, Sammy Ip, said people generally didn't find that arrangement to be convenient. Many people complained that it was difficult to get out of the park due to the narrow footpaths.

Ip said there are also concerns that government supporters in the park on July 1 may try to pick fights with the marchers.

But he said the police have so far been trying to steer the group away from its East Point Road plan, without providing any alternative suggestions.

"Up until now they just suggest that we use the lawn. Maybe they could suggest another place, but they didn't do so and we are quite disappointed," he said.

Ip said the police have promised to give the group an official reply to their request by June 13.

Last month, the Hong Kong Celebrations Association said it needed to use Victoria Park's football pitches on July 1 for an event, although it hadn't actually decided what kind of event it would be holding.