HONG KONG — Holding up placards which read “we support HK police”, thousands of people gathered outside Hong Kong’s parliament on Sunday (June 30) in what was meant to be a peaceful protest.

But when black meets white, skirmishes were inevitable.

More than a million pro-democracy demonstrators, decked out in black, have turned up on the streets over the past month to oppose the now-suspended extradition bill. And they have been critical of the police’s use of force against them during the protests.

On Sunday, it was the pro-police protesters, dressed mostly in white, who outnumbered the pro-democracy group in the area around Hong Kong’s central waterfront.

Tensions between both camps were threatening to boil over on the eve of one of the most important official events of the year for Hong Kong — the July 1 flag-raising ceremony held every year since 1997 to mark the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty.

Beyond the confrontations that took place at the waterfront, there was a quiet unease as both government officers and pro-democracy protesters — who are predominantly young people — went about making their preparations for Monday’s event.

Alongside the official flag-raising ceremony, the anti-government camp is planning to raise a black flag at a public square nearby.

On Monday afternoon, hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to join in an annual march organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, starting from Victoria Park and ending at Admiralty, which is where the parliament complex and other government offices are located.

EXTRA SIGNIFICANCE

Though held every year, this year's march is taking on extra significance given how ideological differences among Hongkongers have led to huge political unrest in the past month.

Around 5,000 riot personnel will be deployed to deal with any trouble, while the government has announced that the city’s main convention centre — just behind the area where the ceremony will take place — will be sealed off because of security concerns.

Monday’s celebrations would be the first time that the convention centre will be sealed off, a staff member of the centre told TODAY. The Hong Kong government is worried that a large number of protestors may enter the grounds of the ceremony.

Around Wan Chai, TODAY saw metal barricades being set up along overhead bridges that overlook the protest routes and the area surrounding the Golden Bauhinia Square, which is where the official flag-raising ceremony will take place.

Two-metre-high barricades in blue and white have also been erected by the police, a sight that was not seen in previous handover ceremonies.

‘JUST A PEACEFUL MARCH’

A police officer told TODAY that the police do not wish to see any conflict.

“I just know we are all Hongkongers. Our duty is to protect the people, not to hurt anyone,” he said.

Organisers of Monday’s protest played down the possibility of any clashes happening.

Mr Jimmy Sham, who is the convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, told TODAY that there have always been anti-protesters at their previous marches and there has not been any clashes.

“Those who support democracy have a strong moral character,” Mr Sham said.

Mr Jeff Au, who is a member of the Anti-Extradition Bill Coalition, shared the same sentiments.

“Usually, July 1 is not an occasion for clashing. It is just a peaceful march and peaceful rally,” Mr Au said.

But there is a difference this year: The protesters have several specific demands. They want the extradition bill withdrawn, protesters who have been arrested released, the use of “riot” in describing the actions of protesters retracted, and the police investigated for alleged excessive use of force against protesters.

Some Hong Kong citizens interviewed by TODAY were concerned that the march may turn violent.

Ms Alice Tam, 36, who attended the protest to show her support for the police, is worried that the anti-government protesters will clash with the police or occupy certain areas.

“If it is a peaceful protest, it is not an issue, I support it. But I feel that they have lost their rationality,” the administrator said.

‘WE’RE NOT ENEMIES’

A pro-democracy supporter, Ms Jessie Ho, hopes that rationality will prevail among people on both camps.

“Most of those who will be protesting will hope for it to be peaceful. I’m hoping their side (the pro-government side) won’t start anything,” said the 30-year-old who works in public relations.

“We're not enemies. We are all people who love Hong Kong in different ways. It’s not worth it to fight each other.”

Another pro-democracy supporter, who wanted to be identified only as Mr Zhang, said: “If nobody provoke us, we will be peaceful. The march is for the government to see that we are expressing our demands, so that they will not continue to ignore us. It’s to show them that Hongkongers are really angry.”

Adding to the highly charged atmosphere was the death on Saturday of a 21-year-old female student, who was believed to have killed herself as she left a message opposing the extradition law.

Mr Au said that the focus on Monday will be on remembering the student, as well as another protester who fell to his death after hanging an anti-extradition bill banner on June 15.

“The mood for tomorrow is to try not to fight but to have a peaceful atmosphere to remember the suicide on 15 June and the second suicide (on Saturday),” he said.

Mr Au said that the organisers have pledged not to shout provocative slogans or make aggressive gestures during Monday’s protest.

A city that is frayed at the edges will be hoping that they stick to their word.