(The Standard P.1 9 Jul 2013) Occupy Central founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting
sprang a surprise yesterday when he urged students not to risk breaching (違反) the
law by taking part in the civil disobedience movement (公民抗命運動).
Opponents (反對者) of the movement had been expecting
calls for youth support, and were out in force at Heep Yunn School in Ma Tau
Wai, Kowloon, to hand out leaflets (派發傳單) listing (列出) their objections.
Tai told students at the forum that while it
is possible that Occupy Central may breach (違反) the law, it is different from other
crimes.
"For instance, a person commits robbery
for self gain whereas (反之) civil disobedience is for a public cause," he said.
Asked if he would abandon (放棄 ) the movement if
only a small number turned out (出席), Tai said: "If all Hong Kong people say we
are creating chaos (混亂) and it is meaningless, we will lose out (失敗) and I will have to
start writing from behind bars(在監獄服刑)."
Voice of Loving Hong Kong convener Patrick Ko
Tat-pun said he had been concerned that Tai would spread misleading messages to
the children.
Addressing about 500 students at the same
forum was National People's Congress Standing Committee member Rita Fan Hsu
Lai-tai, who said Occupy Central would be a self-wounding act that would not
have any effect on Beijing's position on Hong Kong's constitutional reform for
the 2017 chief executive election.
"The aim of the Occupy Central movement
is to paralyze (癱瘓) Hong Kong as a political and financial center," she said.
"The longer it is paralyzed, the lower
its credit rating (信貸評級) will become.
"With a lower credit rating, Hong Kong is giving
up one of its advantages. It means we are hurting
ourselves - an act of self wounding.
"If Beijing can be pressured by Hong
Kong to change its position, leaders in the provinces and other cities will
wonder whether the central government is still strong and powerful in
leadership.
"Hong Kong has
no bargaining chips to pressure Beijing to change its stance(立場). Hong Kong will have
to pay the costs if the Occupy Central movement paralyzes the city as a
political and financial center."
Fan also said it is
understandable (可理解的)for
parents to be worried and asked them to consider their decisions seriously.
Tai said if the
Occupy Central turnout is poor, it would mean the pro- democrats have failed to
raise people's awareness of the importance of democracy and universal suffrage.
"We hope to
create some tension through civil disobedience so as to encourage citizens to
reflect on whether social injustice (不公平) should be allowed to continue," Tai said. "Today's
seminar (專題討論會) is already
creating tension (緊張氣氛). You can
no longer ignore its existence (存在)."
During the forum, the
students were warned (被提醒) three
times that they risked breaching the law if they joined the movement.
However, a Mrs Chan
who attended with her daughter said she would support Occupy Central.
"It doesn't have
to be radical (激進的),"
Chan said. "But the government must improve and listen to what the people
want."
Her daughter said the
forum enabled (使能夠) her to
better understand what the government has been doing.
She said she wished
to see Hong Kong people elect their chief executive.
Meanwhile, Secretary
of Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim said his bureau has provided clear guidelines to
schools on organizing extracurricular activities and reminded (緊記) principals not to
hold any activity that may breach the law.
New People's Party
lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said young people must be cautious (謹慎的) about joining the
movement.
Eddie Luk and Nectar Gan
Do you support your children to take part in the Occupy Central movement? Or do you worry that students are too young to realize the aim of the civil disobedience movement, they may breach the law?
回覆刪除Most residents are unsatisfied the Chief Executive CY. Leung’s administration, which some top administration officials not only lack for their experience of political views but also the ability of the performance of their duties. For example, the former Development Secretary, Mak Chai-kwong stepped down by the scandal of his integrity. He performed his post as a Development Secretary just 12 days. Moreover, Paul Chan who is the Secretary for Development involves the scandal of interest conflict of the northeastern New Territories development plan as well as the Sub-divided flats scheme. It is worrying that CY. Leung also lies on the unauthorized alternations and additions in his house.
Some said the new administration faces the challenge by the public. It is because the Government has no long-term planning and to question the public before launching the policies.
Holding a forum of the Occupy Central at school for the two sides of viewpoints of speakers is good that it makes students widen their sight on the movement; it makes them know what their rights are; and it makes them understand they should have a positive attitude and to be open-minded to face the Occupy Central. It is an opportunity for parents to attend the occasion. It may help them to realize what their kids think of the purpose of Occupy Central. Teachers should lead their students to discuss the advantage and disadvantage of democracy and universal suffrage, whether the latter intend to take part in the civil disobedience movement or not. It is time for both parents and teachers to discuss the matter with the youngsters.
May Chan