LSD Activists Recall Beijing's Poll Reform Bid

Four members of the League of Social Democrats (LSD) held a protest outside the liaison office on Monday to demand universal suffrage and mark the anniversary of an electoral reform move made by the central government six years ago.

They were issued fixed penalty tickets by the police for allegedly violating the gathering ban as they headed to Beijing's liaison office for the demonstration.

On August 31, 2014 the Central Government unveiled its plan for electoral reforms in the SAR, which would have allowed direct election of the Chief Executive, but effectively allowed Beijing to screen candidates. That set off a series of political events in the city, which eventually led to the 79-day Occupy protests.

When the LSD activists – Raphael Wong, Avery Ng, Figo Chan and Leung Kwok-hung – arrived at the scene, more than 30 police officers were outside, guarding the office's entrance.

The officers warned the four that they're violating the ban on gathering of more than two people, and dished out penalty tickets of HK$2,000 to each of them.

After being handed the tickets, the group proceeded towards the liaison office, which was surrounded by security barriers.

Leung criticised the police for preventing the group from going to the liaison office, saying that this showed the government does not tolerate different opinions.

The activists said they were also protesting against the national security law, and called on the authorities to repeal it.

They also accused the government of using the epidemic as a pretext to postpone the Legco elections.