Advertisement
Hong Kong Lennon Wall torn down at Australia’s University of Queensland
- CCTV captured four masked individuals entering the student union building on the campus before the wall was vandalised
- Students are not being allowed their right to free speech on campus, says protest organiser
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
An Australian university roiled by weeks of tensions over the protests in Hong Kong has vowed to ramp up security after a Lennon Wall on campus was torn down by a group of masked vandals.
The University of Queensland, which was the site of clashes between pro-Hong Kong and mainland Chinese student protesters last month, on Wednesday pledged to take “appropriate action” against anyone involved who was found to be associated with the university.
CCTV captured four masked individuals entering the student union building on the Brisbane-based campus before the wall was vandalised on Monday night.
Advertisement
Lennon Walls, colourful mosaics of sticky-note messages expressing solidarity and defiance, have become an international symbol of Hong Kong’s democracy movement and the protests against the now-shelved extradition bill, springing up on university campuses in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
“The University does not condone any actions that prevent free speech, including the targeting of the Lennon Wall in the Student Union complex. The UQ Union has CCTV footage of their premises and has provided it to the University,” a university spokeswoman said, adding that the police had been notified.
Advertisement
Brisbane International Student Solidarity with Hong Kong, a group of Hong Kong students based in Queensland, condemned “the disrespectful acts of those who tore down the UQ Lennon Wall – the very embodiment of our thoughts for Hong Kong, our home.”
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x