| Hong Kong July 1 Marches |
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BACKGROUND Since 1997 and before 2003, marches were held annually by The Hong Kong Alliance In Support Of Patriotic Democratic Movements In China . By the end of 2002, the proposed legislation of an anti-subversive law, as required by the Article 23 of the Basic Law , the constitutional document of the territory, sparked off heated debate and opposition. The public was worried civil rights and liberties will be adversely affected. The Civil Human Rights Front was formed by grassroots civil organisations and pro-democracy politicians. A march was held on December 15 from Victoria Park to the Central Government Offices on Hong Kong Island , with a turnout of 65,000. he government attempted to pass Article 23 on July 9, 2003 in Legislative council. As a result of Debate continued for months, with the Government refusing to any concessions. Comments and opinion in the speeches by then Secretary For Security Regina Ip in the Legislative Council and in public debate sessions were, particularly, considered contentious to members of the public. 2003 PROTEST While it may seem the cause of the march is the Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23, the reality is the citizen unleashed the anger towards Tung Chee Hwa 's government in this march, especially on his second term. This includes Lexusgate scandal, incomptence of dealing with SARS . Prayer gathering in Victoria Park Some Christian churches led by Rev. Chu Yiu Ming (朱耀明) of the Baptist Church and Roman Catholics led by Bishop Joseph Zen organized a prayer gathering in Victoria Park before the march. More than 40,000 people attended. The March In 2003, the Civil Human Rights Front organized from those against the article, called for a march in July 1 to protest. Just before the march, someone called participants to wear black clothing as a protest so there are a lot of people wearing black. The march originally scheduled to start at 2:30 pm at the soccer field in Victoria Park, arriving at the government headquarter building. The organisers estimated there were about 750,000 participants (Falun Gong said there were about 1 million), and the police projected 350,000, while the most acceptable number is around 500,000 suggested by professors of the universities and the Democratic Party. Aftermath After half-millon people protested against the law, James Tien resigned from the Executive Council in order to vote against the proposal. The Government then took back the proposal. Afterwards, Regina Ip and Antony Leung resigned due to "personal reasons". 2004 PROTEST Following this protest, the next major event was Tung Chee Hwa's Resignation . 2005 PROTEST See Also: July 2005 protest in Hong Kong December 2005 protest in Hong Kong SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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