At least 2,000 protest banning of pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow from Legco race
Rally outside government headquarters seen as indicator of public outrage that might help opposition camp win more votes
At least 2,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday to protest against the banning of pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow Ting from contesting the Legislative Council by-election in March.
Demosisto, Chow’s political party which led the rally, had no estimate of the turnout, but police put the number at about 2,000 at its peak.
The demonstration lasted about two hours as protesters packed the pavement outside government headquarters at Tamar, at one point spilling over onto Tim Mei Avenue and forcing police to close two northbound lanes to traffic.
Shouts of “anti-disqualification”, “anti-political persecution” and “support Chow Ting” rang in the air as opposition pan-democrat politicians took turns on the stage to address the protesters.
The March 11 by-election is being held to fill four of the seats left vacant by the disqualified legislators.
Lau Siu-lai, one of the six ousted lawmakers, said: “For those who did not show up, it does not mean they do not support us. Many Hong Kong people may be so overwhelmed by the sad news about Agnes Chow’s disqualification that they could not come.”
She urged Hongkongers to “be brave” and face difficulties together.
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The pan-democrats are planning another protest outside the venue for a candidate briefing set for Thursday by the Electoral Affairs Commission on logistics for the by-election.
Political scientist Cheung Chor-yung, of City University, said of the turnout: “It was not as huge as it was thought it might be. I am a bit pessimistic about it exerting any pressure on the government.”
“We shall fight in society, we will fight in the court, we will fight in the international community. And we shall win, the rule of law will win, human rights will win, and Hong Kong people will win,” Ng told her audience.