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Social worker Lau Ka-tung (in black) speaks outside the High Court on Tuesday after being granted bail. He is appealing a conviction for obstructing police last July at an unauthorised rally in Hong Kong’s Yuen Long area. Photo: Brian Wong

Hong Kong protests: social worker who blocked police vows to keep helping protesters after winning bail pending appeal

  • Lau Ka-tung was convicted of deliberately obstructing police at an unauthorised anti-government rally in Yuen Long last July
  • Referring to his recent jail stint, the 24-year-old said he felt ‘privileged to experience the suffering of protesters’
Brian Wong
A Hong Kong social worker jailed for obstructing police during an anti-government demonstration has vowed to keep helping protesters after winning temporary release pending his appeal.

Lau Ka-tung was granted bail at the High Court on Tuesday, six days after he was sentenced to a year behind bars by a lower court over his crime at an unauthorised rally in Yuen Long last July 27.

The 24-year-old was convicted of deliberately delaying police for several minutes by standing in front of a cordon of officers during a clearance operation that day. Lau argued he had merely asked officers to slow down to allow protesters time to leave.

A protester is arrested at the same July 27 rally in Yuen Long where social worker Lau Ka-tung delayed police by standing in front of a cordon of officers during a clearance operation. Photo: Sum Lok-kei

In finding Lau guilty, Fanling Court ruled the presence of social workers at the scene led to chaos and danger and had “fundamentally dealt a blow” to police work.

The jail sentence drew criticism from lawmakers and social work unions, who argued social workers at demonstrations were essential in safeguarding protesters’ rights and safety.

Mr Justice Poon Siu-tung gave Lau temporary release on a HK$100,000 (US$12,900) cash bail on condition he remains in Hong Kong and reports to police twice a week. He was greeted by dozens of supporters chanting anti-government slogans as he left court.

Lau called the jail term excessive compared to similar cases in the past.

“I am very disappointed with our judicial system,” he said, claiming he was the victim of political persecution. He said social workers had a duty to engage in humanitarian work during the civil movement, and he had no regrets over his actions.

“As a social worker, I felt privileged to be able to experience the suffering of protesters [in jail],” he added.

A date for his appeal hearing has yet to be fixed.

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