Labour Party Vice-chair Arrested During Failed March

The Labour Party said on Friday that police had arrested their vice-chairman, Mak Tak-ching, during a failed attempt at a protest march in Admiralty.

Several members of the Labour Party and the League of Social Democrats had intended to march from Admiralty Centre to the government's headquarters, in groups of four to comply with coronavirus pandemic rules.

The activists said the march was to protest against the authorities' decision to ban the annual May 1 demonstrations in the city.

But the group didn't get very far with their march and were stopped by police officers on a nearby footbridge.

Eight of the participants were given fixed penalty tickets for apparently violating the public gathering law, while Mak was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police.

The Labour Party said officers had identified Mak as being the organiser of the demonstration.

A spokesman for the party, Chiu Yan-loy, said the police had earlier refused permission for their march, again citing the gathering law.

Chiu said the police are enforcing the law selectively and pro-government groups have recently been allowed to hold demonstrations.

The party demanded Mak's immediate release and for the fines to be overturned.