Court told of protest 'chaos' at Legco over development plan

A security guard at the Legislative Council building told a court yesterday of "chaotic scenes" in June when dozens of protesters breached the building to oppose the government's development plan for new towns in the northern New Territories.

Security officer Chan Wing-shing was testifying at the trial of Civic Passion leader Wong Yeung-tat, who is charged with unlawful assembly and attempted forcible entry in the incident.

The first of 13 witnesses called by the prosecution, Chan told Eastern Court that protesters had crowded the main hall of the Legco building on June 6, refused to let security guards close the glass doors and scuffled with guards and police.

"It was very chaotic," he said. He said that although Legco security had the same powers as police within their jurisdiction according to the law, no force was used. "If they didn't really break the rules ... how can we arrest?" he said.

The court was told that some protesters arrived early in the morning but it was about 3pm before some moved towards the building, and the situation deteriorated with scuffles happening after 9pm.

Chan was on control room duty that afternoon, the court heard, but was called to the main public entrance of the building due to the increasing number of protesters outside the glass door entrance. They were demonstrating against the government's HK$340 million funding request for preparatory work on the controversial new towns. It was the fifth time the Finance Committee had discussed the funding application.

Chan said the protesters came from a "few different groups" but they were all demonstrating against the same issue. Some protesters were inside the building, registered for a building tour or using library and canteen facilities, he said.