Carrie Lam and Hong Kong, a fruitless "dialogue"
A meeting between the head of the executive and 130 members of the public was held last night at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai. Carrie Lam admitted to many responsibilities, but did not respond to the "five demands" that the movement continues to make, first of all an independent investigation into police violence. A weekend of protests is being prepared.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The first session of dialogue with the people of Hong Kong, held by chief executive Carrie Lam, at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai has proven fruitless.
In an attempt to find "a way out" of the tensions that have plagued the territory for over three months, Lam began a series of meetings last night with the population which can "freely" express criticism and requests. But public dissatisfaction overcame the timid steps of the head of the executive, who had to wait 4 hours before she could leave the stadium, surrounded by thousands of demonstrators blocking the streets.
Yesterday's meeting was held at 7 pm and continued for two and a half hours. Out of about 20 thousand who had asked to participate online, the government chose 130. To enter the Stadium they had to go through metal detectors, where banned from carrying helmets, umbrellas and other protest tools. Some were allowed to wear a mask over their mouth.
Carrie Lam admitted to bearing a great amount of responsability in causing the city's incandescent situation, but made no concessions on the five demands that the anti-extradition movement continues to make. above all the request for an independent investigation into the excessive use of force by the police. Lam responded by reiterating - as she did on other occasions - that there is already an Independent Police Complaints Council established by the government.
Of the 30 speakers - each had three minutes - about half underlined the urgency of the independent investigation.
On the other hand, Lam promised that the detention center of San Uk Ling, near the border with China, will no longer be used. Many arrested denounced the conditions of imprisonment and the violent attitude of the policemen towards them.
At the end of the meeting, many participants sang the slogan "Five demands. Not one less ".
Meanwhile, Hong Kong is preparing for a new weekend of protests. The Civil Human Rights Front - which in recent months has proposed marches in which millions of people have participated - has obtained the police permission to hold a rally tomorrow night at Tamar Park, near the parliament, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Occupy Central movement . Other events are expected on Sunday 29 September and on 1 October, China's national holiday, which this year celebrates 70 years of the People's Republic of China.
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22/08/2019 09:32
