Pro-democracy demonstrators have been removed from outside the legislature amid a protest over the pro-Beijing camp’s attempt to amend the LegCo’s rules in their favour.
Around 300 attended Monday’s protest, including lawmakers. Democrats had
initially intended on camping overnight and surrounding the Legislative Council Complex on Wednesday. However, after repeated warnings from the police, they were removed from the site just before midnight.
Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.
Changes to the Rules of Procedure have been proposed mostly by the pro-Beijing camp in order to curb filibustering by democrats.
Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.
Earlier in the evening, the protesters were ordered by a LegCo security guard to “behave in an orderly manner” and “comply with directions given by officer of the Council” under section 11 of the legislature’s administrative instructions. Protesters were forbidden from putting up tents, and were requested to retrieve any tents that had been erected.
“I have a right to protest,” demonstrators chanted.
They were also told that, under the law, those who assault, interfere with or obstruct a Legislative Council officer are liable to a HK$10,000 fine and 12-months behind bars.
Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.
“Hong Kong is finished after the LegCo rules are changed,” one protester shouted outside the police barricade. “How can one person [LegCo president] has so much power?”
According to the Legislative Council rules, the demonstration area is only open for use between 7am and 11pm.
Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.
At around 11:30pm, the camps were peacefully pulled to the sidewalk, while the protesters were removed one by one from the site by guards. Some demonstrators had to be carried out by Legislative Council security officers.
The guards asked for police assistance at around 12:10am on Tuesday to move protesters. The police did not remove lawmakers.
All protesters were removed or left at around 2am.
Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.
Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.
The protest came exactly three years since the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement camp was dismantled by police in Admiralty.
Additional reporting: Kris Cheng.
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https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/12/12/just-guards-remove-hong-kong-pro-democracy-lawmakers-outside-legislature-amid-protest-house-rules/