Vancouver police to keep an eye on competing rallies between Hong Kong and China supporters
Credit to Author: Glenda Luymes| Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 18:29:31 +0000
Vancouver police will have extra officers in place to monitor competing rallies between pro-Hong Kong and pro-China demonstrators at the Broadway SkyTrain station in Vancouver on Saturday afternoon.
Pro-Hong Kong supporters are planning a “peaceful rally” from 4 to 8 p.m., according to posts on the Vancouver Hong Kong Forum Society’s Facebook page. A counter rally has been planned by pro-China supporters.
A political expression permit issued to the group by the City of Vancouver says the protesters must comply with city bylaws and in no way “jeopardize the safety and comfort of others.” The protest cannot block building entrances or the “free movement of pedestrians.”
The permit for a pro-China rally being held in Vancouver Saturday.
Protests in Hong Kong and Australia have become violent. On social media Saturday, some worried the Vancouver protests could also escalate.
Vancouver police Const. Jason Robillard said early Saturday that police are aware of the Vancouver rallies.
“We have additional resources in place, and we are prepared to address public safety issues should they arise,” he said in an email. “We will continue to monitor the gatherings throughout the day.”
Robillard said police are also monitoring information about the rallies on social media.
@LMDRCMP @VanPoliceFnd @CitImmCanada @CBC Heat waves of Hong Kong protest might escalate to DT Vancouver tomorrow, use of gun violence were mentioned in pro-Beijing provocateur WeChat group. Hope no one get injury in support HK demonstration tomorrow. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/ixKSmpBvxC
A pamphlet circulated by the pro-China supporters and translated for Postmedia asked participants to remain calm and refrain from creating verbal and physical confrontations, before adding “treat those brain dead wasted youth as invisible.”
A pro-China rally flyer asking demonstrators in Vancouver to be calm and restrained.
There have been competing rallies in other countries as well. On Friday, violence broke out at a rally in Melbourne, Australia when pro-China supporters arrived at a rally planned in solidarity with protestors in Hong Kong. Videos posted on social media showed people pushing each other before being separated by police.
The unrest in Hong Kong began in June in opposition to a now-suspended extradition bill, and have since grown to include broader demands.
In Hong Kong on Saturday, thousands of school teachers joined the eleventh weekend of anti-government protests. A pro-police rally also drew large crowds.
With files by Daphne Bramham and Reuters
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