Hong Kong’s legislature passes national anthem law amid opposition lawmaker protest
- The bill outlawing insults to March of the Volunteers was approved in the Legislative Council by a vote of 41 to one
- Debate cut short as opposition lawmakers hauled away by security guards after rushing floor of council chamber with foul-smelling liquid
Hong Kong’s legislature passed the contentious national anthem bill on Thursday, outlawing insults against March of the Volunteers, despite attempts by opposition lawmakers to disrupt proceedings.
The Legislative Council voted 41 to one for the legislation after foul-smelling liquid was twice released in the chamber, while all but one pan-democrat stood up and abstained from voting in protest.
Under the bill, anyone found guilty of misusing or insulting the national anthem could be fined up to HK$50,000 (US$6,450) and jailed for three years.
About 1pm, pan-democrats Eddie Chu Hoi-dick and Raymond Chan Chi-chuen jumped up from their seats, and Chu emptied a bottle of brown-coloured liquid, forcing a suspension of the debate as the duo was forcibly removed by security guards.
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Hong Kong Legco passes national anthem bill after lawmakers disrupted proceedings
Firefighters and police officers sent in to investigate said dead insects were found in the liquid, but no poisonous gas was detected.