The Hong Kong government has disqualified four opposition lawmakers from the legislature on Wednesday, an announcement that marks yet another dark day for the city’s pro-democracy movement.
A statement released in the early afternoon announced that the lawmakers will “immediately lose” their seats on the city’s legislature due to their alleged support for Hong Kong independence, refusal to recognize Beijing’s sovereignty over Hong Kong and lobbying of foreign governments, among other claims.
The ousted lawmakers include Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung. All four were among the dozen candidates who were disqualified from running in this year’s Legislative Council elections before they were postponed.
Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Kwok ka-ki said: “Since [the proposal] last year [of] the extradition law to today, authorities have used every means possible to attack Hong Kong, [including] the passing of the national security law, police and systemic violence in the legislature, oppressing democratically elected lawmakers, and sending myself and my colleagues to the courts on political charges.”
Kwok has served in the legislature since 2004.
Thanking supporters of him and his political party, Civic Party, Yeung said the road ahead will be difficult, but that he will continue striving for Hong Kong within his capacity.
“In the future, I could be just like any other Hong Kong citizen. But just like any one of them, I will be here and in full support of Hong Kong.”
Earlier this week when sources indicated that Beijing’s top legislative body plans to disqualify the four legislative councillors, the city’s opposition lawmakers said they would “resign on masse without hesitation” if the verdict is handed down.
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