A pro-Beijing district councillor was shouted off the street by a crowd of onlookers after he set up an “anti-rioting” booth near a shopping center in the New Territories criticizing the actions of anti-extradition protesters who stormed the LegCo on Monday.
Councillor Calvin Sze To, a member of the conservative Beijing-aligned DAB party, had set up a booth in Tin Shui Wai, near Tin Yiu Plaza, a little after 6pm to collect petition signatures from residents “upset with the violence that happened on July 1.”
Shortly after he set up the booth, however, he was swarmed by citizens, who were captured on video angrily calling the DAB “so shameless” and shouting “f**k you, DAB” — like, a lot.
At one point, one angry bystander can even be heard asking, “Hey, do we have eggs? Let’s throw one.” (Fortunately for Sze To, they were apparently fresh out.)
At some point, police officers materialized at the scene to prevent any escalation of the conflict, and at around 9pm, after some two hours of being berated, Sze To and his team finally left to the cheers and applause of the ad hoc protesters.
Sze To posted a video last night calling the protesters’ behavior “unacceptable,” and saying he never got a chance to explain himself.
“Hong Kong is a democratic society; we should respect and understand each other despite differences in opinions,” he said in the video.
The DAB also posted a photo of the incident with a caption condemning the hecklers.
“You are allowed to protest and express opinions, but we are not allowed to set up a booth and collect the public’s opinions?” they asked, including the catchy hashtag “#StealthyBehaviorsOfTheRioters.”
https://www.facebook.com/dab.hk.1992/posts/2328680400705810
The incident was the second instance in as many days of a pro-Beijing lawmaker being harangued in public.
On Wednesday, establishment lawmaker and vocal extradition bill supporter Priscilla Leung was literally hounded up and down the street by a pack of angry protesters who questioned not only her ability to represent Hong Kong, but also her faith.
