Six members of the pro-democracy League of Social Democrats (LSD) were recently fined up to HK$1,000 for fundraising and displaying banners without proper permits. Among them, four pleaded not guilty, with LSD chair Chan Po-ying being one of them. The charges included collecting money in a public place without a permit and displaying posters on government land without authorization.
In a separate case, ex-legislator Tsang Kin-shing, along with other members, pleaded guilty and were fined HK$800. Christina Tang, who was convicted in an earlier case, received a HK$1,000 fine for the recent charges. These fines were for raising funds and displaying posters at specific locations in Causeway Bay and outside Wan Chai MTR station, with the posters containing QR codes linking to the party’s donation page.
Chan, seeking to overturn her previous conviction, requested to schedule her trial for a later date to align with the Court of Final Appeal’s decision. The Court of Appeal had previously upheld a conviction and fine related to displaying QR codes for the party’s Patreon page at street booths in Mong Kok. Chan aims to argue about the definition of “collecting money” and the presence of online donations in a “public place.”
During the court proceedings, ex-legislator Tsang mentioned being overseas during the trial and pleaded guilty despite calling the charges a “political prosecution.” Magistrate Leung intervened, emphasizing the importance of respecting the court’s process. Tsang initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty.
Another member, Yu Wai-pun, was also involved in a separate case regarding an unauthorized banner display. He requested access to certain operational guidelines for his defense, leading to a discussion about the relevance of those guidelines to the case. The court decided to allocate more time for further inquiry into the matter.
As these cases unfold, it is evident that the pro-democracy activists are facing legal challenges for their fundraising and public display activities. The intricacies of the legal system, including permit requirements and the definition of public spaces, play a crucial role in determining the outcomes of these cases. The activists’ determination to defend their actions and seek justice through the courts highlights the ongoing struggle for democratic rights in Hong Kong.
