Annual July 1 pro-democracy march in Hong Kong draws record low turnout: police
Organiser blames aggression and rain for turnout of just 66,000, but police put figure at a 14-year low of 14,500
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The march took place on the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover to Chinese rule. Photo: David Wong
The
on Saturday saw its size shrink by almost half to a two-year low of about 60,000, with organisers blaming the low turnout on perceived aggressive tactics by police towards protesters in recent years and heavy rain.Police put the turnout at 14,500 – the lowest number since official records of the turnout began in 2003.
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Explosive substances, weapons seized as Hong Kong police arrest two men in Tuesday raid
- Seven 1.5kg bags of precursor chemicals capable of producing bombs were taken along with gunpowder-filled cartridges and home-made firearms
- Police said they had not ruled out the possibility the substances were intended for use on July 1, anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty
Police display evidence, including materials used for making home-made weapons, seized in a morning raid on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang
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