League of Social Democrats' Avery Ng arrested for July 1 antics

The vice-chairman of the League of Social Democrats was arrested yesterday for throwing his T-shirt off a footbridge to catch the attention of President Hu Jintao during his visit on July 1.

Avery Ng Man-yuen, who faces a public nuisance charge for the protest in Tung Chung, called his arrest "political persecution". He was on police bail yesterday and will appear in Tsuen Wan court tomorrow.

"It is obvious the police have a political mission to try to stop protesters," Ng said yesterday.

In the July incident, several people, including other members of the league, tried to protest against Hu, who was visiting Hong Kong to mark the 15th handover anniversary. Protesters scuffled briefly with police who tore banners off a footbridge near the airport where Hu's convoy would pass.

Amid the fray, Ng removed his black T-shirt, printed with a message demanding an investigation into the death of blind activist Li Wangyang in June, and cast it off the bridge, where it landed on the highway.

"The police were trying to create an image of harmony in Hong Kong while stopping the president from hearing an opposing voice," said Ng, who was arrested at his home yesterday afternoon.

"I was just trying to catch Hu's attention and let him know our demands."

A defiant Ng said the charge would not deter him from joining a protest against Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on New Year's Day.

The maximum penalty for causing a public nuisance in Hong Kong is two years' jail.