Hong Kong, August 7: Thousands of lawyers in Hong Kong on Wednesday held silent march to call on the government led by pro-Chinese Carrie Lam to safeguard the city’s independence, as head of China’s Macau affairs office cautioned the territory struggling its biggest crisis since 1997 when it returned from British rule to Chinese rule.
The lawyers, wearing black, summoned for the silent demonstration to Justice Place from the court of final appeal, a few hours after police fired tear gases on late Tuesday to disperse the gathering in Sham Shui Po, according to Al-Jazeera news reports.
“We are here to protect the rule of law,” Hong Kong legislator Martin Lee declared after the march. “The rule of law means, most importantly, that we are all equal under the law,” Lee added.
Lawyers fear the justice department’s prosecutions of detained protesters was taking a political slant after some 44 protesters were charged with rioting – which puts suspects in a 10-year jail term.
Lawyers in a silent march to the justice secretary’s office to call for an independent commission of inquiry and the independence of government prosecutors.
Protests by the legal community are less uncommon these days under creeping authoritarianism in Hong Kong. pic.twitter.com/8vCyEkOI3T
— Elaine Yu (@yuenok) August 7, 2019
Hong Kong’s anti-government protesters on Monday launched a “citywide strike”, ravaging regions of the territory, as a pro-Chinese leader Carrie Lamwarned the demonstration have pushed the city to a “very dangerous path”.
According to Al-Jazeera news reports, more than 200 flights have been canceled ahead of the citywide strike with all most two runways operating in the city, with around eight railway lines completely or partially disrupted. Media reports alleged the aviation employees joined the citywide strike.
Many pro-democracy protesters blocked entrances to the commuter transports, leading to combating with passengers rushing to their final destinations.
Also read: Anti-extradition bill: Over 200 flights cease as Hong Kong braces for ‘citywide strike’