The Democratic Party considers disbanding. Along with other pan-dem groups, they are barred from participation in what was once a semi-representative electoral process for the legislature and district councils. In a system that does not recognize the independent voices of civil society, they have no standing in public life.
So why have they carried on? Perhaps in the hope that the authorities might one day calm down and give a little symbolic space back to opposition bodies. Or more likely out of a calculation that it’s simply not worth the hassle – and maybe the government will simply look weaker for driving another harmless/inert pressure group out of existence…
Martin Lee, a veteran democrat who was the founding chairperson of the Democratic Party in 1994, told the paper that he had no communication with the current executive committee, but he was “not surprised” about the talk of disbandment.
Lo, who was re-elected chair in December following a change of term for the party’s executive committee, said at that time that the party still represents “a slice of residents” but acknowledged that the party carries less influence than before.
…Multiple members of the party have been jailed or detained, including Helena Wong and Lam Cheuk-ting, as well as former chairs Wu Chi-wai and Albert Ho.
Members of Democratic Party, as well as their families and employers, have received harassing messages and letters in the run-up to its internal election, Lo said last November.
A couple of videos, via Twitter…
‘Absconder’ Chloe Cheung on the BBC.
And an interview with Mark Clifford, author of The Troublemaker, on Jimmy Lai.
Back in 2021, the remnant Dems were incongruously threatened by establishment press and flunkies if they didn’t ‘let’ their people stand as token opposition. They gallantly resisted the promised NSL retribution but even if they morphed into a grass-roots social welfare outfit, they’d still be targeted. Their only option now is an LSD-style edge-life, trying to stand for principles by sporadically darting forward under fire and aiming to sustain only flesh wounds.
Who’d blame them for calling it quits?
https://hongkongfp.com/2021/09/06/hong-kong-democratic-party-may-breach-security-law-if-it-tells-members-not-to-run-in-election-warns-pro-beijing-figure/
The capitulation and abject apology on the part of the taxi wallahs, a sector of considerable blue pedigree, underline the fact that no opposition is now tolerated.
“The capitulation and abject apology on the part of the taxi wallahs, a sector of considerable blue pedigree, underline the fact that no opposition is now tolerated.”
Yup despite the basic law explicitly allowing the right to strike. But BL allows for the right to strike too. Basic law is completely worthless under the new constitutional order promulgated via the NSL.
“But BL allows for the right to strike too. ”
Correction: But BL allows elected lawmakers the right to veto the budget too. Was too tired yesterday