Thousands expected for pan-party protest rally - Hong Kong tragedy in Philippines
MANILA BUS TRAGEDY
Ambrose Leung
Aug 27, 2010
From www.scmp.com
Tens of thousands of marchers are expected to flood Hong Kong streets on Sunday in a demonstration organised by the main political parties to demand justice for those killed in the Manila hostage tragedy.
The march from Victoria Park to the Legislative Council building will be the climax of an outpouring of collective grief and anger in the city at the Philippine government's handling of the tragedy, following a series of protests, petitions and remembrance activities.
Organisers told police they expect 50,000 marchers but the turnout could be much higher. They said they did not expect the march to have a racial element but some have called for restraint because foreign domestic helpers and religious groups will hold their own day-long remembrance in nearby Chater Garden.
Announcing the march at a rare joint press conference yesterday, parties across the political spectrum said they wanted to give the public an opportunity to pay their respects to the dead as well as to demand justice from the Philippine government. A rally will be held in Victoria Park before the start of the march at 3pm. Participants are encouraged to wear black or white clothing in memory of the dead.
"We aim to show solidarity and our deepest condolences by peaceful means," Democratic Party lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong said.
Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said it was being held because "many people wanted to do something to allow everyone to participate".
A vigil will be organised by Catholic and Protestant groups in Chater Garden from 6pm.
The Philippine consulate general is also bracing for a noisy protest tomorrow organised by the League of Social Democrats. League chairman Andrew To Kwan-hang expects more than 100 league members to march to the consulate in Admiralty at 3pm.
A group of internet users is organising a signature campaign in the Mong Kok pedestrian zone from 4pm today, aiming to collect 10,000 signatures to present to the United Nations. In addition, the legislature will meet for an emergency session on Wednesday to debate a motion condemning the Philippine government for its failure to save the hostages.
Yesterday, the Hong Kong Journalists Association handed a petition to the Philippine consulate, expressing its anger and concern about comments made by Philippine President Benigno Aquino, who suggested the live media broadcast of the incident agitated the gunman.
"The Hong Kong Journalists Association calls on the Philippine government to refrain from using this incident to introduce harsh measures against the media in order to cover up their incompetence," the petition said.
MANILA BUS TRAGEDY
Ambrose Leung
Aug 27, 2010
From www.scmp.com
Tens of thousands of marchers are expected to flood Hong Kong streets on Sunday in a demonstration organised by the main political parties to demand justice for those killed in the Manila hostage tragedy.
The march from Victoria Park to the Legislative Council building will be the climax of an outpouring of collective grief and anger in the city at the Philippine government's handling of the tragedy, following a series of protests, petitions and remembrance activities.
Organisers told police they expect 50,000 marchers but the turnout could be much higher. They said they did not expect the march to have a racial element but some have called for restraint because foreign domestic helpers and religious groups will hold their own day-long remembrance in nearby Chater Garden.
Announcing the march at a rare joint press conference yesterday, parties across the political spectrum said they wanted to give the public an opportunity to pay their respects to the dead as well as to demand justice from the Philippine government. A rally will be held in Victoria Park before the start of the march at 3pm. Participants are encouraged to wear black or white clothing in memory of the dead.
"We aim to show solidarity and our deepest condolences by peaceful means," Democratic Party lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong said.
Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said it was being held because "many people wanted to do something to allow everyone to participate".
A vigil will be organised by Catholic and Protestant groups in Chater Garden from 6pm.
The Philippine consulate general is also bracing for a noisy protest tomorrow organised by the League of Social Democrats. League chairman Andrew To Kwan-hang expects more than 100 league members to march to the consulate in Admiralty at 3pm.
A group of internet users is organising a signature campaign in the Mong Kok pedestrian zone from 4pm today, aiming to collect 10,000 signatures to present to the United Nations. In addition, the legislature will meet for an emergency session on Wednesday to debate a motion condemning the Philippine government for its failure to save the hostages.
Yesterday, the Hong Kong Journalists Association handed a petition to the Philippine consulate, expressing its anger and concern about comments made by Philippine President Benigno Aquino, who suggested the live media broadcast of the incident agitated the gunman.
"The Hong Kong Journalists Association calls on the Philippine government to refrain from using this incident to introduce harsh measures against the media in order to cover up their incompetence," the petition said.
