1500 in Hong Kong Participate in a Candlelight Vigil Against Article 23 (photos)

"Safeguard human rights and freedom, and oppose Article 23 legislation; oppose creating terror and damaging freedom of speech." 1500 Hong Kong citizens opposing Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law, held candles in their hands or waved their arms to shout aloud their voices from the depth of their hearts. The Legislative Council will hold first reading on Article 23 legislation on February 25. The Civil Human Rights Front, representing 43 groups, held a candlelight vigil against Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law in Charter Gardens on the night of February 24. The group pointed out that Article 23 legislation would introduce the misdeeds of the Mainland authorities, the oppression of all opposing voices, and suppress citizens with the excuse of "maintaining national security." The group strongly requested the government to withdraw the Blue Bill of Article 23 legislation.

The participants were very emotional. People from all walks of life were invited to make speeches. Cham Hok Man, student-coordinator of a High School Joint Declaration Opposing Article 23, expressed that after the enactment of Article 23 legislation, teachers would need to examine their speech in fear of violation of Article 23 if they were to say something inappropriate. Textbooks would be transferred to Hong Kong from the Mainland without changing a word. This would suffocate the freedom of thought. Hong Kong students hope that Hong Kong's education system will not follow such a direction. Article 23 protects the security of the Party regime, but not national security. His speech won a warm round of applause.

Young and old participate in the candlelight vigil opposing Article 23

Hoping the People of Hong Kong Will Join to Oppose the Malevolent Law

Hong Kong Falun Gong spokesperson Kan Hung-cheung expressed that a couple of persons in Hong Kong who dare to speak out have been called "the Conscience of Hong Kong," but the number is far from enough. Hong Kong has 6 million people, so there should be six million consciences. He called for Hong Kong citizens to unite to oppose Article 23 and create a beautiful future for Hong Kong.

Freedom Encroached is Difficult to Recover

A Hong Kong Journalists Association that rarely participated in civil gatherings joined the Civil Human Rights Front for opposing Article 23 legislation. Chairperson Mak Yin Ting thought that the biggest problem of Article 23 is Hong Kong citizens' free speech would be encroached upon and that it may be unable to be recovered.

Mak Yin Ting expressed hopes that Hong Kong citizens will persist until the end during the entire process of the enactment of Article 23, making it clear to the government that citizens will not stop expressing their opinions, even though the government ignores them. Ultimately, this can lead to the continued existence of or even expansion of free speech in Hong Kong.

The group pointed out that Article 23 legislation would introduce the evildoing of Mainland authorities, oppressing all dissenting voices, and suppressing the public with the excuse of "maintaining national security." They strongly requested the government to withdraw the Blue Bill of Article 23 legislation.

Chinese version available at http://www.yuanmingeurope.net/articles/200302/17734.html