2007 Protest
"Achieving Universal Suffrage, Improving Livelihood (爭取普選，改善民生)" was the theme for this year’s demonstration. The organizer, Civil Human Rights Front, submitted an application for Notification of Public Procession to the Hong Kong Police (HKP) about twenty days before the march. Prior to the start of the protest, Communist party leader Hu Jintao had already left Hong Kong via the Shenzhen bay port.
The police insisted that the organizers wrapped up the demonstration before 18:30 in order to facilitate the fireworks display that would take place that night over Victoria Harbor. Displeased with by the limitations and restrictions set by the police, the organisers filed an appeal to the Appeal Board, which ruled on 26 June that the demonstration could last for four hours, from 14.30 to 18:30. Furthermore, the appeal board also required the police to open up all three westbound lanes to marchers. The elder and physically challenged marchers would slack behind at the rally, and restricted the number of wheelchair participants to ten.
Civil Human Rights Front estimated the turn out to be 68,000 while the Hong Kong Police put the figure with those who left from Victoria Park between 14:30 to 16:30 at 20,000. The University of Hong Kong estimated between 29,000 to 35,000 people took place in the demonstration. Organisers suggested an estimate of 58,000 people.
Cardinal Joseph Zen joined the march for the first time. Former Chief Secretary, Anson Chan has also taken part.
Read more about this topic: Hong Kong 1 July Marches
Famous quotes containing the word protest:
“I am fearful that the paper system ... will ruin the state. Its demoralizing effects are already seen and spoken of everywhere ... I therefore protest against receiving any of that trash.”
—Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)