Hong Kong students form human chain outside swimming competition to protest against cut in number of spectators and alleged ban on chanting slogans
- Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation confirms cutting the number of spectators citing safety reasons, but denies asking students not to chant political slogans
- But student groups write on social media that the federation warned pupils last week the contest would be called off if they dared to chant slogans at the venue
About 100 students from 20 elite schools in Hong Kong formed a human chain outside an interschool swimming gala on Friday to protest against restrictions imposed on the competition, including a cut in the number of spectators and an alleged ban on chanting political slogans.
While the students did not shout any protest slogans at the venue during the contest, they shouted “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” during the prize distribution ceremony at around 5.30pm.
At lunchtime, about 100 students who represented their school’s cheering squad formed a 200-metre-long human chain outside Kowloon Park swimming pool, wrapping around the corner of Nathan Road and Austin Road.
The students chose to mask their faces, but donned their school uniforms. They also sang Glory to Hong Kong, the theme song of anti-government protesters.
Some finalist swimmers also sported water-resistant stickers with anti-government slogans which read “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times”.