Street Booths Planned As Labour Day Rally Ban Upheld

An alliance of trade unions say they will mark the May 1 Labour Day by setting up booths across Hong Kong after an appeal board upheld a police ban on a proposed demonstration that was planned for Friday.

This raises the prospect that police could take action, as the force had twice dispersed protesters over the past few days, citing the social distancing regulations which prohibit any gatherings of more than four people in public.

Confederation of Trade Unions' (CTU) chairwoman Carol Ng insisted it was feasible to set up street booths while still observing the regulations brought in to stem the coronavirus outbreak.

Ng said she was disappointed that the Labour Day tradition of more than 30 years cannot continue this year.

She said it was important for the event to go ahead to show solidarity among workers in Hong Kong.

"So we have thought about what we can do next, and according to our affiliates' requirements and our committee members discussions, a street booth is very likely and feasible to do so by maintaining no more than four people in the booths," said Ng.

Police meanwhile have welcomed the appeal board's decision, again warning that anyone participating in a public event of more than four people will be violating the law, whether or not the groups are spaced 1.5 metres apart.

Police had earlier rejected the CTU application for a letter of no objection for large scale rallies on Hong Kong Island citing the risk posed by the pandemic.

On Wednesday, the Public Assembly and Procession Appeals Committee upheld the police ban, rejecting CTU's appeal.