Hong Kong July 1 marches
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The July 1 marches (Chinese: 七一遊行) is a series of marches on July 1 that have been held annually in Hong Kong since 2003. July 1, 1997 was the day on which the sovereignty of the British crown colony was transferred to the People's Republic of China as a special administrative region.
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[edit] 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. The 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.
[edit] 2003 protest
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 p.m. 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Explanations
While a major reason for the march was Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23, a number of blunders by the Tung Chee Hwa administration added to people's frustrations, including the Lexusgate scandal involving the Financial Secretary Antony Leung and the government's incompetence in handling the SARS health crisis.
[edit] Aftermath
After half-million people protested against the law, James Tien resigned from the Executive Council in order to vote against proposals for legislation as required under Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law. The Government then backed down on the proposal because it would be unable to pass the legislation without the support of James Tien's Liberal party. Afterwards, Regina Ip and Anthony Leung resigned, stating "personal reasons".
[edit] 2004 protest
Following this protest, the next major event was Tung Chee Hwa's resignation.
[edit] 2005 protest
- See also: July 2005 protest in Hong Kong and December 2005 protest in Hong Kong
[edit] 2006 protest
In the 2006 protest, the organizers issued whistles to participants to symbolise "make yourself heard". The theme was to strive for implementation of Universal suffrage stated in the Hong Kong Basic Law. A few days before the protest, Former Chief Secretary Anson Chan announced to participate the march and called for participation to Hong Kong people via mass media. This act invoked attacks from pro-Beijing mass media in Hong Kong.
The marches started at 3 o'clock as usual, from Victoria Park and the Central Government Offices. The organiser estimated there were 58,000 participants in the marches.
[edit] Counter protests
On July 1, pro-Beijing organisations usually organizes one day trips at a low price to draw people away from the marches. They will also hold marches supporting the government.
