Hundreds Pray For Fallen UST Student

Hundreds of people attended a prayer session at Chater Garden in Central for the University of Science and Technology student who died on Friday following an apparent fall in a Tseung Kwan O car park.

Circumstances surrounding Chow Tsz-lok’s got injured remain unclear, but many protesters have accused police of obstructing the arrival of an ambulance – a charge they deny. Police are still investigating the case and have said they will recommend a further probe by the coroner.

Senior Catholic leader, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha, told the crowd he hopes the Coroner’s Court can shed more light on the matter, and reiterated his call for an independent commission of inquiry to be set up to investigate the protests.

Ha added that violence has escalated on both sides, and it appears to be getting increasingly difficult to find a resolution to the conflicts.

“What’s visible is the vandalism of public property. What’s not visible is how the souls of countless people, especially young people, are being eaten away, and tortured”, he said.

People at the gathering prayed, sang hymns, and chanted the odd protest slogan, before lining up to lay flowers at the stage.

One woman was there with her husband and two kids, aged 6, and 8.

“I know the UST student… was so concerned about the future of Hong Kong. I’m so sorry about his death, and I understand my kids – they may not know what is happening in Hong Kong but I hope at least they can be here when they grow up they will know what was happening”, she said.

The ceremony was led by a co-founder of the 2014 Occupy movement, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming.