Hong Kong opposition lawmaker refuses official demand to remove ‘offending’ street banners taking aim at government

Democratic Party legislator Helena Wong was initially given approval to hang publicity materials in her constituency of Kowloon West

But Lands Department claims messages, which criticise education and call for release of fugitive Hongkongers held on mainland China, violate rules

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The offending banner calling for the release of 12 Hong Kong fugitives being held on mainland China after being caught trying to flee to Taiwan. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 6:05pm, 27 Oct 2020Updated: 7:38pm, 27 Oct 2020

A Hong Kong opposition lawmaker is refusing to comply with an official demand she remove two street banners criticising bias in the education system and calling for the release of 12 Hong Kong fugitives being held in mainland China.

The Lands Department said the banners, which hang from metal railings lining the pavement, violated rules requiring content is not obscene or objectionable and complies with laws.

Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan earlier received official permission from the department to display the publicity materials in Kowloon West, the geographical constituency she represents.

The banner criticising biased education in Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

One banner takes aim at “brainwashing education”, while the other urges the release of the dozen Hongkongers. They were intercepted by the Chinese coastguard while trying to flee to Taiwan in late August and are facing charges in Hong Kong stemming from the social unrest that erupted last year.

But after Wong put up the banners in 30 different spots, the department sent her a letter demanding she take down two hanging along Pui Ching Road in Ho Man Tin.