Wear Dog Collar, Can Protest in HK

Police stipulate no masks and wear numbered tags to protest

To hold a protest in Hong Kong in a post-national security law environment is getting harder and more outrageous.

A group of homeowners in Tseung Kwan O want to hold a rally protesting the proposed reclamation for building "obnoxious facilities", such as garbage collection stations.

While the group did get the green light from the police to hold the protest, they need to meet some requirements -- not to wear masks, but wear tags around their necks to "prevent criminals from mixing".

The days of mass protests are over in Hong Kong

Bad elements are going to hijacks a protest about refuse collection stations?

First the authorities think this protest is going to get out of hand and wants to be able to identify everyone for filming purposes;

Not only that, the protesters need to wear number tags around their necks like animals to certify they are legitimate rabble rousers. 

Oh and don't violate the national security law -- even though it's not clearly spelled out.

If the protest goes ahead on Sunday it will be the first since the government lifted all Covid-19 restrictions including social distancing and the mask mandate.

About 100 people are expected at the upcoming protest, with the stipulation that no one can join half way through. The unusual restrictions are particularly stringent for organiser Cyrus Chan Chin-chun.

"If you ask me whether or not I like those terms, the answer must be negative," Chan said. "There is nothing else I can do but fulfil such requests."

Police claim bad elements will join protests...

Earlier this month the Hong Kong Women Workers' Association had permission to hold a march to mark International Women's Day, but it was suddenly cancelled and the rights group didn't explain why.

After the march was called off, the police said they had intelligence that many people, including violent gangs would attend the march.

In addition, League of Social Democrats said four of its members who were going to join the rally were warned by national security police not to go, a day before the organisers cancelled the protest march.

If Sunday's protest does go ahead it could become the template for future marches... where the brave willing to stick out their necks with dog collars will shout a few slogans, hoping they don't violate national security and then go home hoping for the best.

Imagine trying to enforce these protest rules on people in France or Israel, the United Kingdom or the United States?

But this is sadly Hong Kong's new reality. 

Protest-Free Visit

Xi, Peng will arrive at the railway station, closed since 2020

As July 1 edges closer, security around Hong Kong for President Xi Jinping's visit seems to have stepped up mainland style.

Whenever there are sensitive anniversaries coming up on the mainland, dissidents or critics of the government are usually rounded up and sent on a "holiday" for a few days -- escorted of course.

Or they are held under house arrest in their own homes.

The railway station is being decorated

It seems this practice has been imported to Hong Kong.

Earlier today Avery Ng Man-yuen, former chairman of the League of Social Democrats, one of the last pro-democracy groups still active in Hong Kong reported that some members, including himself were under "constant surveillance" by police. 

He said he was monitored by the police and some officers were stationed near his home. 

Ng wrote on social media on Wednesday that he was "imprisoned", without further details. He later clarified he was not under house arrest and that he was fine.

"Sorry I am imprisoned," Ng's original post read. "Those who understand would understand."

Nevertheless he later clarified to some media that he and other members were under "constant surveillance", but could not say much more.

Ng says he is under police surveillance

"It is obvious that right now in Hong Kong, basic personal freedom is not protected," said Ng, who was released from prison on April 30 after serving 14 months and 14 days on protest-related charges.

Ming Pao reported on Monday that former LSD chairman Raphael Wong Ho-ming said police searched his home and those of seven others in the group. The police also questioned them on what their plans were for July 1.

On Tuesday LSD announced they would not hold any protest marches on Friday after some volunteers met with officers from the national security police.

But the police would not confirm the meeting was held, and that its operations were conducted "on the basis of actual circumstances and according to the law."

LSD used to hold protest marches like this one

With protests pre-empted this year, it will be the first time there is no sign of dissent on July 1 in a long time.

Xi will be pleased.

New HK Leader a Forgone Conclusion

Newly anointed Chief Executive-elect Lee with wife Janet

Well what do you know -- John Lee Ka-chiu is going to be the next Chief Executive of Hong Kong!

What a surprise.

Of the 1,428 votes cast, he received 1,416 of them -- 99.15 percent of the votes. It's not hard if you are the only candidate.

How can this even be called an election, despite the charade of having people voting for him. He even greeted voters before they cast their ballot which in a real election would have been a no-no.

Lee earlier greeted voters as they arrived

Nevertheless this is the result Beijing wants -- Hong Kong style democracy with Chinese characteristics, where you have a one-horse race where only 0.0002 percent of the population are eligible to vote.

For the record it only took 23 minutes to count all the votes.

"Lee was nominated by 796 Election Committee members and won 1,416 votes. this showed that he was supported by the majority of the committee members, and faces the expectations of the vast majority of Hong Kong residents," said Xinhua of the result. 

While Lee was showered with praise in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the rest of the people not allowed to cast a ballot were resigned, angry or shrugged.

Just before the vote, three activists from the League of Social Democrats staged a mini protest. "Power to the people, universal suffrage now" they chanted as they marched towards the voting venue, though they were stopped by police.

Three lone protesters before the election

When asked by a reporter for his response that his performance will face challenges because of the lack of an electoral mandate, Lee replied:

"My election has been run according to the laws of Hong Kong. The election was conducted in a very transparent and fair manner. Anybody who is legally qualified can take part and run for election. I received a total of 1,416 votes and with that number of support, of course, it encourages me and gives me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed upon and shared by lots of Election Committee members."

He also said that the chief executive is accountable to both Hong Kong and Beijing, and that the two are connected. Lee added what Beijing wants to see in the city and what Hong Kong people want to see should be similar.

If only it were that simple...

A joke going around Twitter: 689 (Leung Chun-ying) + 777 (Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor) - 50 Years of no change = 1,416.