Sunday, 15 December, 2002, 14:49 GMT
The line of people was six kilometres long
About 20,000 people have taken to the streets of Hong Kong in one of the biggest demonstrations in
recent years to protest against planned anti-subversion legislation.
The protest snaking through the streets of Hong Kong to the territory's government headquarters was
far larger than most people had expected.
BBC correspondent Damian Grammaticas says the new laws are the most controversial issue to confront
Hong Kong since the territory was returned to China five years ago.
When Hong Kong was returned from British to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997, the government was
required to outlaw subversion, sedition, treason and other crimes against the Chinese state.
Protesters say freedom of speech will be muzzled
Our correspondent says the proposals put forward by the Hong Kong government, with backing from
Beijing, are far-reaching and are starting to arouse deep-seated opposition.
People found guilty under the new law can be imprisoned for life.
But critics say the law is so loosely written it would let the authorities trample on people's
freedoms or ban groups the government does not like.
Guaranteed freedom
"I don't want Hong Kong to become like China," said a 48-year-old civil servant who joined
Sunday's demonstration.
Another protester, a 25-year-old bank clerk added: "The rights we have are not guaranteed in
the future."
[...]
Police put the number of protesters at 12,000, while organisers said 50,000 had turned out. Reports
say the demonstration stretched for six kilometres (3.5 miles)
Pro-democracy politicians and human rights activists have been joined by businessmen who fear the
legislation could damage Hong Kong's role as a business centre because it might limit the exchange
of financial information.
Wealthy newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai, who joined the marchers on Sunday, said the law was like
"an invisible, tightening collar".
[Practitioners] of the Falun Gong spiritual movement - which is banned in mainland China -
participated in the march.
Christian groups began Sunday's march with a prayer session at the departure point at Hong Kong's
sprawling Victoria Park.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2577483.stm
Clearwisdom Home
To Fellow Practitioners
Yearly Archive
Printer Version