Dozens of police officers yesterday broke up a brawl during a rally in Victoria Park against domestic helpers who are involved in a court fight for the right of abode.
Scuffles broke out between supporters and opponents of the helpers, a day before a landmark case opens in the Court of First Instance.
Just days after Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung openly appealed for calm amid the highly divisive debate, police arrested 15 men and four women, aged 17 to 42. Sixteen people were later released on bail, but the rest refused to be bailed.
About 100 members of the online group Caring Hong Kong Power gathered in the park to voice their discontent against the helpers. They intended to march to the North Point headquarters of the Civic Party. The party has remained neutral over the helpers issue but barrister Gladys Li, who is one of the party's founders, is representing one of the plaintiffs.
The group was confronted by about 30 members of Leftist Reloaded - which comprises students and alumni of Chinese University - and Socialist Action. They said Caring Hong Kong Power was encouraging racism and discrimination, and tried to stop the march starting.
One protester who rallied against the helpers said it was 'ridiculous' that the student and leftist groups tried to stop them. 'There is freedom of speech and assembly for everyone,' he said. 'They should not stop us from expressing our opinions.'
