Instead of shouting slogans of defiance, songs glorifying the spirit of Hong Kong and values cherished by its people were played during Saturday’s peaceful rally. The crowd hummed along when the well-known tune of Under the Lion Rock and Pearl of the Orient were played.

The signboards and banners — hoisted high along with the national flag and the Hong Kong SAR flag — read "Safeguard Hong Kong" and "Say No to Violence."

Sponsored by more than 70 community leaders, the rally is joined by well-known politicians, academics, celebrities, and representatives of ethnic minority groups in the city. Among them are former commissioner of police Tang King-shing, former Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing and former secretary for food and health Ko Wing-man.

Some of them would later take the forum and make the plea for peace and mutual respect.