2
Saturday, August 7, 1971
In the past one difficulty applicants had in arranging public
meetings was that of finding sites where these could take place without
unduly interfering with other members of the public.
The Government therefore asked the Urban Council to look again
at the position as it felt there is a need to have suitable sites for
this purpose.
The Council considered that football pitches should be used
for the purposes for which they were developed. Its Recreation and
Amenities Select Committee nevertheless accepted Government's view that
they might sometimes be the most advantageous sites for outdoor public
meetings, and agreed to all the four now chosen.
Applications for use of these areas must be made at least
seven days in advance with the date of the proposed meeting or demonstration
being stated. The applicant has also to specify which site he wants to
use, adding an alternative site acceptable to him if the first one is
unavailable.
There is no change in the law regarding public meetings or
demonstrations and meetings to be held at any of these five locations
must be conducted in accordance with the law.
If an approved meeting appears to be getting out of hand the
Commissioner of Police may have to terminate it and advise people to return
to their homes.
The decision to make these five sites available for group meetings
and peaceful demonstrations is quite separate from other suggestions which
have been made to provide a "Speaker's Corner" in Hong Kong. This is still
under consideration.
/The Colonial