Tens of thousands of Hong Kong people yesterday mounted one of the territory's biggest marches in years to denounce plans for an anti-subversion law they fear will erode freedom and civil liberties.
Holding banners and black balloons and pumping their fists in the air, the protesters marched to government headquarters in the Central district, urging the administration to drop plans to enact the controversial law.
"This evil law will embroil Hong Kong, heaven and earth forbid," marchers chanted in the biggest display of public outrage since the government unveiled the law in September.
The Constitution requires Hong Kong to pass the law, which Beijing is eager to see introduced in order to keep what it calls hostile forces from using the territory to subvert the mainland.
March organizers said more than ten thousand participated in yesterday's protest, but police declined to give a figure.
The proposed law has disturbed rights, legal and civic groups both in Hong Kong and overseas.
They worry it may be exploited by authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong against anyone they dislike in the former British colony, which was promised a high degree of autonomy when it was handed back to China in 1997.
"This law will threaten the rights of many, many people in Hong Kong, how can I not protest?" said one marcher who identified himself only as Mr. Wong.
People found guilty of acts of treason, sedition, secession from -- or subversion of -- the mainland government could be imprisoned for life under the new law.
As many as 100 civil and religious groups joined in the march, including the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which is banned in China.
Although legal in Hong Kong, the group fears a crackdown when the new law is enacted, since it will make illegal and Hong Kong organizations linked to groups banned on the mainland.
The government, which insists the planned law has the support of the majority of Hong Kong people, is even at odds with the local Roman Catholic diocese, which is against the law.
Yesterday's protest march began at sprawling Victoria Park with a prayer session organized by more than 70 Christian groups.
Bishop Joseph Zen, head of the Catholic diocese in Hong Kong, has repeatedly warned that the law will roll back religious freedom and free speech -- freedoms Beijing promised to leave alone in Hong Kong for 50 years at the time of the handover.
Rights experts say concepts like "state secrets" and "national security" in the law are too vague, leaving them open to abuse.
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