'Long Hair', July 1 activists plead guilty to blocking roads

Lawmaker “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung and five other activists pleaded guilty on Monday to charges relating to the blocking of roads during last year’s July 1 protest march in Central.

Two others who were charged along with the group pleaded not guilty, and the prosecution offered no evidence against them. They were bound over for one year on a bond of HK$1,000.

Senior public prosecutor Jonathan Man Tak-ho said the police had given the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions permission to hold the demonstration from 2pm to 10pm.

But Man said the defendants caused heavy traffic congestion when they occupied roads after the authorised time: the junction of Queen’s Road Central and Garden Road, and Connaught Road Central.

Leung said the charges he faced – unlawful assembly and violating the Public Order Ordinance – were unconstitutional, because he is entitled to the freedom to protest.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Tuesday for mitigation.