Labour group cuts ties with protest organiser

A pro-democracy labour group on Saturday said it was cutting ties with the Civil Human Rights Front, after a media report said the government might outlaw the protest organiser on national security grounds.

In a brief statement, the Neighbourhood and Worker’s Service Centre said it would now focus on matters that affect people on low incomes.

There have been claims that the front – which is best known for organising the annual July 1 rally and other protests – had received funding from the US National Endowment for Democracy to organise anti-extradition demonstrations, which began in June 2019.

A report by Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao quoted sources as saying that the Hong Kong government could ban the group if the allegations of foreign funding were proven to be true.

The front’s convenor, Figo Chan, has said its funding came solely from public donations during marches and assemblies.

He said the group had never received funding from foreign governments or organisations, including the National Endowment for Democracy.