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
CCTV captured four masked individuals entering the student union building on the Brisbane-based campus before the wall was vandalised on Monday night.
Pro-Hong Kong and pro-Beijing groups clash at Australian university
“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.
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.”
Ji Davis, an organiser of pro-Hong Kong protests at the university, said the Lennon Wall on campus had been vandalised again on Tuesday.
“We’re appalled that UQ students are not being allowed their right to free speech on campus, and further appalled at UQ’s lack of response to the issues that have developed over the past fortnight,” said Davis.
Hong Kong, mainland students in conflict at New Zealand university
Meanwhile, the Australian government on Wednesday urged travellers to Hong Kong to “exercise a high degree of caution” when visiting the city due to spiralling unrest in the city.
