Students Plan Forum At HKU On Mong Kok Clashes

Student unions from three local universities are planning to partner with the pro-independence Hong Kong National Front to hold a forum to ‘educate’ the public about the Mong Kok clashes on the third anniversary of the disturbances.

The groups, from the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University and the Polytechnic University, are also planning to discuss the future of social movements in the territory during the gathering at the Hong Kong University’s student union building next Friday.

The President of Chinese University’s student union, Au Cheuk Hei, said various speakers will be invited to give their perspectives on the clashes, and did not rule out inviting people who have a different political viewpoint.

Asked whether he was worried that the university may intervene, the head of the HKU student union, Davin Wong, said they don’t need the school’s approval as the building is managed by his union.

He added that relations between the union and the university have been good, adding that there’s freedom of speech at Hong Kong University.

The clashes over the Lunar New Year holiday in 2016 began after unlicensed food vendors were cleared from popular locations in Mong Kok. Pitched street battles saw mobs attack police officers. A number of people have since been jailed for rioting.