Legco lockdown: security stepped up for Friday vote on fiercely opposed new-towns project
Unprecedented security as lawmakers make second attempt to vote on controversial plan after hundreds stormed the building last week
A lockdown will be imposed on the Legislative Council block on Friday when lawmakers will make a second attempt to vote on the government's plan to build new towns in the northeastern New Territories.
For the first time since the council moved to Tamar in 2011, the Admiralty building and car park will be closed to the public; lawmakers will be banned from receiving visitors; visiting tours will be cancelled and the Legco library will be closed.
In addition, only 10 spectators will be allowed into the 40-seat public gallery as Legco's Finance Committee gets down to deciding on HK$340 million of preliminary funding for the controversial development.
Announcing the unprecedented security measures yesterday after a special meeting with the Legco Commission, Legco President Jasper Tsang Yok-sing said: "Among those who came on Friday, some appeared to be [employing] whatever violent means they could to break into Legco."
He was referring to an hours-long standoff in which the initially peaceful protest turned chaotic on news that the committee was about to vote. Protesters tried to pry open the doors to the building with bamboo poles and smashed glass panels. Police responded with pepper spray and 21 people were arrested.