早前民陣決定發起8.18大遊行，民陣已收到有關警方發出的「不反對通知書」，警方禁止民陣在當天舉行公眾遊行及在遮打道行人專用區的集會，只批准民陣在上午10時至晚上11時在維多利亞公園舉行集會。民陣對警方的決定表示極度的不滿，認為警方反對民陣舉辦安全合法和平的遊行是罔顧公眾安全的決定。
7月17日立法會議員何君堯及十數人到警察總部外請願，要求警方就近期遊行集會，停止發出不反對通知書。何說在公園集會等較和平的方式不成問題，但就反對佔領和衝擊等對公眾構成影響的示威活動。
警方同時向周六紅磡土瓜環遊行發出反對通知書，已是第9宗「反送中」遊行被拒，似乎按足何君堯要求，考慮到他背後的勢力，發展令人擔憂。
民間人權陣線召集人岑子杰稱，民陣已向公眾活動及遊行上訴委員會提出上訴。民陣會先嘗試從上訴機制挑戰警方的決定，等待上訴有裁決之後，民陣會盡快交代應變的安排。
國際特赦組織香港分會指根據國際法，政府不能因「可能出現暴力」而剝奪市民和平集會，包括示威的權利。反之，政府有責任採取合理和適當措施，令示威者免受暴力威脅，保障市民行使和平集會的權利。
Police bans Saturday’s march in Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan, organised by district activists, as well as a Sunday march organised by the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) from Causeway Bay to Central and a rally at Chater Garden over public safety concerns. Only a static rally in Victoria Park against police violence will be allowed on Sunday.
On 17 July, legislator Junius Ho Kwan-yiu and a dozen people went to the police headquarters to petition the police to stop issuing letter of no-objection for recent protest marches. Ho said that a more peaceful way of gathering in a park is not a problem, but he is against demonstrations that affect the public, such as occupation and attacks.
The ban is the 9th anti-extradition law marches objected by the police, apparently following Junius Ho’s request precisely, a worrying development considering the forces behind him.
“We are very dissatisfied with this decision, and believe this decision will impose a danger to a large number of participants,” the CHRF said in a statement. “We have already applied for an appeal. Will give further notice to media when more details are revealed.”
Amnesty International Hong Kong says that under international law, the government cannot deprive citizens of the right to peaceful assembly, including protests, because of “probable violence.” On the contrary, the government has the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect protesters from threats of violence and to protect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.
