Lawmakers jeered by hostile crowd after TV licence probe debate
Protesters bang on windows of Legco building and demand government 'come clean' on TV row
Tens of thousands of protesters demanding the government to "come clean" over the free-TV licence row branded pro-government lawmakers shameless as they left the Legco building last night after a debate.
Large groups of demonstrators banged on windows of the building as the lawmakers filed out. Some swore at commerce minister Greg So Kam-leung, accusing him of recycling stale official lines in yesterday's debate on whether Legco should invoke its special powers to investigate the rejection of Hong Kong Television Network's free-to-air TV licence application.
Civic Square outside the central government offices was packed with black-clad protesters. The crowd spilled over into Tim Mei Avenue. Police estimated that more than 9,000 attended last night's rally, but organisers said there were 50,000.
Protester John Leung shouted "shut up" when he saw Legco and Exco member Regina Ip Lau Shuk-yee telling lawmakers of her New People's Party's to oppose the debate motion on a giant simulcast screen outside.
"Lawmakers like her betray Hong Kong. Can they sleep well tonight? How will she tell her daughter what happened?" said the jobless 40-year-old.
Many showbiz veterans - including semi-retired non-HKTV actors - joined the rally.
Middle-aged and elderly pro-establishment protesters waved national flags and vowed to support Exco to uphold the confidentiality principle as they marched to their rally on the opposite side of the Legco building. Some attempted to provoke HKTV supporters, yelling at them. Police officers intervened and separated the crowds.