The march, organized by the Hong Kong Women Workers’ Association and scheduled Sunday (Mar 5), had obtained approval from police.

Yet, the association canceled the march at the eleventh hour a day before, with police saying the association made the decision on its own after thorough considerations.

Speaking on a radio program on Monday, Chan, also the wife of jailed democrat Leung Kwok-hung, said she and three members were taken to a police station by national security police last Friday.

“They cut to the chase and told us: ‘Do not participate in the demonstration for your own sake,’” Chan said.

The national security police sidestepped her question asking for the reasons behind, Chan added.

She also quoted the police replying that they would make arrests should Chan and her members insist on taking part in the protest.

Chan pointed out that the protest had yet to be canceled by the association at that point and remained a legal public event.

She said she was shocked and confused at the same time as the party had earlier said they would be joining the demonstration in a low profile without submitting any letter of demands or making any public remarks.

Chan believed organizations considered “troublesome” would be barred from joining the demonstration amid China’s annual Two Sessions meetings.

Chan also noted that the League of Social Democrats was not one of the “violent groups” that wanted to join the protest as police said earlier.

Replying to enquiries, police said officers would take actions and enforce the law in accordance with actual circumstances.