Letters | Hong Kong national security law: protesters hurt their cause with violent attacks on opponents

Law

Letters

Published: 6:45am, 28 May 2020

Why you can trust SCMP

I have no problem with people having different views. It was very dismaying, though, to find one day into the resurgence of protests that some protesters decided to promote the cause for democracy and their objection to the security law by beating up a citizen who disagreed with them (“Hong Kong lawyer attacked by black-clad mob near protest area”, May 25).

There were also numerous videos of protesters throwing objects at groups of police before the police fired any tear gas. Are the protesters not protesting because they want people in Hong Kong to be able to express different views?

There are accusations the South China Morning Post and local press are supportive of the protest movement. Melissa Kaye Pang, president of the Law Society, condemned Sunday’s attack on a lawyer and all violence. Are your reporters going to relentlessly press the opposition politicians to condemn all violence? Or will they let them off the hook and not ask them about their silent acceptance of such violence which only leads protesters to think violence is OK as long as they are the perpetrators?

Mike Allardice, Discovery Bay

Violence can’t be tolerated, whatever the provocation

Whether the attack is on a lawyer, a hawker, a student, a youth or an elderly person makes no difference. Any violent physical or verbal attack on a peaceful individual expressing a difference of opinion is inexcusable and not to be tolerated in a civilised society. It is assault and a violation of the law, and of an individual’s freedom to express a peaceful, different viewpoint (“Hong Kong justice chief condemns protesters’ attack on lawyer”, May 26).

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Hong Kong’s Law Society reveals a member was assaulted and condemned the attackers

We have seen enough of this barbaric behaviour displayed during the riots and unruly demonstrations which have taken place in Hong Kong during the past 12 months. These so-called supporters of democracy and freedom who behave this way are themselves a threat to our freedom, and the peace and safety of our city.

Beatrice Lee, Repulse Bay

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