Protesting peacefully outside a school debate at a public venue is not a offence worthy of a jail time, a court ruled today, overturning prison sentences against former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung and an activist from political party People Power.
Leung, a member of the League of Social Democrats (LSD) who is popularly known as “Long Hair”, and his co-defendant Tam Tak-chi, of People Power, were appealing against their sentences and verdicts related to a 2015 protest against now chief executive Carrie Lam, who was the city’s number two at the time, according to HK01.
Although their verdicts were upheld by the High Court, the judge ruled the punishment meted out was “manifestly excessive” as no violence had been involved, RTHK wrote.
Leung, who originally received a week in prison, had his sentence replaced with a fine of HK$3000 (US$382).
Tam, who had been given a week-long suspended sentence, also had his term changed to a fine of the same amount.
The pair were convicted of obstructing a person in their lawful use of a public place when they held a demonstration at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in 2015, wrote Line Post.
The venue was, at the time, hosting the 30th Sing Tao Inter-School Debating Competition, where Lam, then the chief secretary, was scheduled to speak as the guest of honor.
Leung, from the League of Social Democrats, and Tam were among a bigger group that protested outside the event, waving banners and shouting slogans criticizing Lam for pushing a legislative election reform proposal that was unpopular with pan-democrats.
According to the SCMP, the judge noted the protesters had not resorted to violence or caused any actual damage.
Lawyers for Leung and Tam are expected continue to the Court of Final Appeal to appeal their sentences.
