Activist barred from election as Hong Kong nears recession
Hong Kong authorities barred pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong from an election as the city’s leader warned Tuesday that months of violent protests have pushed the city to the brink of recession.
“Until and unless we tackle the violence and put an end to it, it is very difficult to continue the political dialogue we have done,” Lam said.Hong Kong has been racked by political crisis since early June. What initially were massive but peaceful marches and sit-ins have intensified into battles between hardcore demonstrators hurling firebombs and bricks at police who have deployed tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. Both sides blame each other for using increasingly aggressive tactics.
Wong, 23, became known as the young face of Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Movement” that peacefully occupied streets for 79 days in 2014. He since has been repeatedly arrested and jailed. He has played a smaller role in the current protests, whose leadership is more diffuse, but China’s Communist Party leaders have targeted him in accusing foreign powers of colluding with anti-China separatists to foment unrest.
The letter said Wong’s embrace of the concept of self-determination includes Hong Kong’s independence, which violates a requirement to promise to uphold its constitution. Wong denied that, saying his answers to the officer’s questions were twisted as part of a “mind-reading game.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hong Kong bars activist Joshua Wong from district pollHong Kong disqualifies pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong from taking part in upcoming district elections, a move likely to spark more discord in a city hit by five months of anti-government protests. More here:
Read more »
Hong Kong excludes activist Joshua Wong from upcoming district pollHong Kong authorities disqualified prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong ...
Read more »
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong says barred from district electionWong became the poster child of the huge pro-democracy 'Umbrella Movement' protests of 2014. Wong and his party, Demosisto, have denied supporting independence for the city.
Read more »
Hong Kong disqualifies democracy activist Joshua Wong from district electionsHong Kong's government disqualified prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua...
Read more »
Hong Kong Bars Pro-Democracy Icon Joshua Wong From ElectionHong Kong authorities barred pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong from running in local elections scheduled for next month, a move that risks inflaming an opposition movement that has seen momentum of street protests wane in recent weeks.
Read more »