Close to half a decade subsequent to the gripping pro-democracy protests that shook Hong Kong, a fraction of activists have once again made their way onto the city streets. This time, their protests target a freshly proposed national security law, a law that is purported to be even more stringent than the one that resulted in the incarceration of numerous protesters in the year 2019. Amongst the protesters were Yu Wai-pan, a representative from the activist group the League of Social Democrats (LSD), and two other activists. Together, they voiced their objections through slogans in front of the Hong Kong executive headquarters. Their protest was conducted amidst a crowd of press representatives and over a dozen police officers.
Protests, a once common sight in China’s bustling financial hub, have nearly vanished following Beijing’s stern crackdown on the massive, and at times destructive, pro-democracy demonstrations that occurred in 2019. This was followed by the imposition of a national security law. Authorities in Hong Kong are currently suggesting the introduction of a new national security law, one that they believe will cover the “gaps” left by the previous one.
Justice Minister Paul Lam has stated that he has not received any objections during the public consultations, a month-long process that is scheduled to end tomorrow. Contrary to his statement, Yu Wai-pan expressed that “many people in Hong Kong are very worried”. The LSD is one of the few remaining opposition groups in Hong Kong and its members have been subjected to multiple prosecutions. Chan Po-ying, another activist, voiced his concerns by stating, “National security is important to the people, but it must be based on democracy, freedom and the rule of law.”
