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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
demonstration etc. is also written in. However, in the early days of establishment of the SAR, the Urban Council has made it empty talk.
The intended parade of the Hong Kong Alliance in support of the Patriot Democratic Movement in China on 1 July was changed to an assembly at the site of the Park Theatre prior to the parade because the Urban Council turned down the application for use of the pavilion at Victoria Park. I remember it was raining heavily on that day but that the crowd was zealous and the parade went along Causeway Road outside the Victoria Park peacefully to head for the Government headquarters. No tragedy occurred as predicted by my fellow colleagues. There was no bloodshed. The parade was ironic to the co-quietness of the Victoria Park. The parade was a success not only because of the large turnout (it was the first time that the figure estimated by the police was greater than that of the Alliance), but also because it was a reflection of the abuse of power by a conservative force to strip our citizens of freedom and human rights. All of it taught us that the clauses written in the Basic Law were sweet empty talk to create false hopes for us.
This motion aims at preventing the abuse of power within the Council refusing the hire of venues for assembly or display of objects. I am trying to protect freedom of arts and expression. I do not want to see other plans of the Alliance turned sour or applications to display objects like the Pillar of shame turned down over the venue issue.
I see that Mr. Albert Lai Wing-lin is moving an amendment to cut off 'should not on political grounds' and put in 'according to the existing criteria'. If existing criteria is adequate to protect freedom of expression, we would never have this incident of Council's refusal of the application by the Alliance. We also cannot ensure that a similar incident will not be repeated in future. I regret that the amendment moves to take away the most important part of the motion.
Tolerance echoes and silence ebbs. In an open society, we must allow difference of opinions. A free atmosphere is the foundation of economic prosperity. It is also protection for democracy and the rule of law. If you compare the treatment of two applications for the use of venue by the Alliance, you will see the thermometer effect. The thermometer shows that July 1997 is the beginning of Winter for Hong Kong. This is very worrying. I am worried about interference from Beijing and the walking over of the SAR government (one elected by the minority) on its people. I must say, I never expected the Urban Council instead of Beijing and the SAR Government to strip our citizens of freedom. I find this most regrettable.
There has been talk in the Mainland that a Communist cadre found the opinions of certain members of the Preparatory Committee more leftist than those of Mainlanders. I don't know if this is true, but I certainly don't want it to be true. I am afraid there is a high probability that the amendment to the motion will be carried. Even so, I call on the Hong Kong people to open...
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