Guard the Children: Arrest at Lion Rock Raises Questions about Law Enforcement and Selective Enforcement of Country Park Regulations

2023-10-09 11:36:01

“Guard the Children” member Chen Jiqiu (Chen Bo) was arrested earlier on suspicion of violating the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations for displaying slogans at Lion Rock. After checking the information, many groups in Hong Kong have climbed to Lion Rock in the past to display different slogans, flags, banners, national flags, etc. Among them, the civil society group “Voice of Victoria Harbor” has displayed “Stop Violence” at Lion Rock at least twice. Banners such as “Stop Chaos” and “Support the National Security Law”. “Yahoo News” asked the police regarding the relevant incident. Did the relevant behavior also violate the country park regulations? Regarding the recent arrest of a 76-year-old man named Chen, did the police enforce the law selectively? The police stated that they do not comment on individual cases, and any actions taken will be dealt with according to the actual situation and in accordance with the law.

The National Security Law was implemented in Hong Kong in 2020, and Victoria Harbor Voice launched a mountain climbing campaign. (Victoria Harbor Voice Weibo photo)

Country Parks Regulations: No banners shall be displayed without permission

About 50 citizens from the non-governmental organization “Voice of Victoria Harbor” organized the “70th Anniversary of the National Day” Lion Rock climbing event on September 14, 2019. A large number of citizens waved the Chinese national flag and the Hong Kong regional flag, and displayed signs that read “Stop violence and end chaos.” , restore order” banner.

As of June 21, 2020, “Voice of Victoria Harbor” once once more climbed to the top of the Lion Rock to support the legislation of the “Hong Kong National Security Law”. Photos show that a large number of citizens wore red shirts with the words “Protect Hong Kong, China” printed on them, holding national flags and banners that read “Support the National Security Law, Hong Kong Starts Again”. According to reports at the time, participants at the scene also shouted slogans: “Anti-Hong Kong independence, anti-subversion, anti-violent terrorism, anti-intervention, come on China, come on Hong Kong, China!”

According to 10(1)(a) of the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulation, Chapter 208A of the Laws of Hong Kong, no person shall display any sign, notice, poster, banner or material in a country park or special area without permission . Anyone who violates the Ordinance may be fined up to $2,000 and imprisoned for three months.

Police: No comment on individual cases

“Yahoo News” asked the police regarding related incidents. Did the behavior of “Voice of Victoria Harbor” also violate the Country Park Ordinance? Regarding the recent arrest of a 76-year-old man named Chen, did the police enforce the law selectively? The police stated that they do not comment on individual cases, and any actions taken will be dealt with according to the actual situation and in accordance with the law.

Chen Jiqiu (Chen Bo) is a member of “Guard the Children”. He has actively participated in social movements in the past and is well known for his frequent presence on the front lines of demonstrations during the anti-extradition movement. Chen Bo was arrested on October 5 for displaying slogans at Lion Rock. He was released on bail pending further investigation and must report to the police in early November. It is understood that on September 28, the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chen Bo climbed the Lion Rock with couplets and showed pictures on social networking sites holding “Hung eyebrows and cold eyebrows, bowing to a thousand men and bowing his head willingly to be a Ruziniu” on social networking sites.

A search of the information revealed that during the anti-amendment movement, people went to Lion Rock many times to display anti-amendment slogans, hold up flags, hold up light signs, etc. A large number of citizens also went to Lion Rock to hold hands and build light chains. However, no one was arrested in many incidents. The police later deployed police forces to intercept and conduct searches at the entrance and exit of Lion Rock on sensitive days.

Before the anti-amendment movement took place, Zhang Dejiang, then chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, came to Hong Kong in 2016. The Social Democratic Company hung giant straight banners on a mountainside near Lion Rock with the words “I want real universal suffrage” and the English letters LSD. , and displayed slogans at two places where Zhang Dejiang’s motorcade passed. Afterwards, seven members were arrested by the police and all were later released.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, more than 50 people from the Voice of Victoria Harbor went to Lion Rock to celebrate. (Victoria Harbor Voice Weibo photo)

In addition to displaying banners on the Lion Peak, they also took photos and displayed banners on the stairs. (Victoria Harbor Voice Weibo photo)

Some citizens also went to the top of the mountain to display the national flag. (Victoria Harbor Voice Weibo photo)

Chen Bo, a member involved in displaying the slogan “Protect the Children” at Lion Rock, was arrested 7 days later

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