Protest marks National Security Education Day

Four pro-democracy activists staged a march through Wan Chai on Thursday morning, demanding universal suffrage for the entire country, as Hong Kong marked its first-ever “National Security Education Day”.

The activists, from the League of Social Democrats and the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, say the nation can be safe only with safeguards on people’s human rights, such as freedom of speech and association.

The group also says Beijing’s overhaul of Hong Kong’s election system ensures political security for those in power but doesn’t ensure the safety of the people.

The protesters called for the national security law to be abolished, saying it had effectively destroyed rights protections guaranteed under the Basic Law.

The group was surrounded by more than 30 police officers along the way, but were allowed to continue their march after their bags were searched and their ID cards checked.

The activists also called for “political prisoners” throughout China to be freed.

Chow Hang-tung from the Alliance says it’s saddening that Hong Kong has so many such prisoners, less than a year after the national security law was enacted.

The LSD’s Figo Chan expressed surprise when he saw some police blocking journalists from taking photographs of their protest banners, saying he’s never before seen such behaviour.

The group marched from Wan Chai MTR station to an area opposite the Wan Chai Convention and Exhibition Centre, where a ceremony marking the SAR’s first “National Security Education Day” is to be held.