23.2.79
7.3.79
9.3.79
CONFIDENTIAL
機密..
The 66 persons charged with unlawful assembly were found guilty. Supporters who gathered outside the court later denounced the conviction at a meeting. The Supreme Court rejected an appeal on 27.4.79 and a wreath announcing that "Democracy is dead" was placed outside the Supreme Court. The focus of protest action was slowly shifting from the boat people to the "right" of public assembly and suggestions of revising the Public Orders Ordinance were being voiced.
DIS replied to letters by a s Vertucci which appeared in the English language newspapers and which raised queries on the right to petition and assemble.
According to HAD assessment (as recorded in the AIG minutes of 19.2.79) the general public suspected the motives of the organisers of the boat people's protest and there was therefore little sympathy for those convicted of unlawful assembly.
Gimmicks such as wreath-laying at the Supreme Court, Mrs. E. Elliott's proposal to apply for every gathering of people etc. continued to attract the attention of the media and in this way the topic remained a public issue.
The arrest and conviction of protesters were debated at the House of Lords. English language papers gave moderate coverage but the Chinese press did not seem to have picked this up.
S for H explained in a letter the boat people issue to Rev. Sidebotham, Dean of the Anglican Cathedral. Bishop Baker later expressed his sympathy for the plight of the boat people. A LegCo member, Hr. Andrew So also appeared
lending support to the demand for
on television.
their rehousing on land.
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CONFIDENTIAL #
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機密