Angered by ‘waste hill’, protesters build their own mound of trash outside Hong Kong government headquarters
Land Justice League founder Chu Hoi-dick says they’ll clear it if authorities take action against illegal dumping at Tin Shui Wai site
Some 40 people built a small waste mound outside the government headquarters in Tamar yesterday to protest the lack of law enforcement against illegal dumping in rural areas, warning that the movement would be escalated if no action was taken.
At the centre of the controversy is a massive illegal waste “hill” reported earlier this month in Tin Shui Wai, which the government says is potentially unstable and dangerous.
Protesters included lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan, Land Justice League founder Chu Hoi-dick, district councillor Paul Zimmerman and affected residents.
They created an approximately 80cm high pile of waste – everything from soil, bricks, a toilet seat and mattress springs – gathered from dumping sites across the New Territories, including Tin Shui Wai, Tai Po, Sai Kung and Lantau.
“If the government clears the illegal waste hill in Tin Shui Wai, we will clear this small waste mound immediately,” said Chu.
Police issued several warnings that if the protesters did not clear the waste before leaving, they could be arrested for violating the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance.
Town planners last week confirmed that at least one section of the mound to the east constituted to unauthorised development as it had encroached on green belt land without permission.