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Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Hong KongPolitics

Legco approves rule book changes after dramatic debate with 11 pan-dems booted out of chamber

24 amendments by the pro-establishment bloc were passed, with 24 proposals by the pro-democracy camp vetoed

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Lawmaker Eddie Chu Hoi-dick being carried out of the Legco chamber. Photo: Felix Wong
Kimmy Chung
After weeks of antagonism between opposing camps of lawmakers and a dramatic day where 11 pan-democrats were booted out of the chamber for disrupting the ongoing debate, 24 amendments to the Legislative Council’s rule book were passed on Friday evening.

The 24 changes, proposed by the pro-establishment bloc to curb filibustering, were staunchly opposed by the pro-democracy camp, which said it would stop them from being an effective check on the city’s government, and allow the administration to bulldoze through controversial legislation.

One additional change, proposed by the house rules committee, on correcting a Chinese character in the rule book, was also passed but 24 proposals by the pro-democracy camp were vetoed.

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Lawmakers voting in the amendments to Legco’s rule book on Friday. Photo: Edward Wong
Lawmakers voting in the amendments to Legco’s rule book on Friday. Photo: Edward Wong
After the amendments were passed at about 6.30pm, some of the lawmakers booted out of the debate joined hands with about 20 of their assistants to stage a protest outside the chamber, chanting slogans such as, “Legco is not National People’s Congress”, “Hongkongers would not give up, safeguard Hong Kong” and “Disgraceful pro-Beijing running dogs”.
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About 10 pan-democrats, comprising those kicked out of the debate and former lawmakers, then spoke to more than 100 supporters who had gathered outside the complex in Admiralty, criticising their opponents and receiving rounds of applause.

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