Opposition lawmakers Lam Cheuk-ting, Jeremy Tam Man-ho, and Alvin Yeung scuffle with security during the Legislative Councils House Committee meeting, in Hong Kong, China, on May 18, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)
Opposition lawmakers at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong have started a brawl at the chamber by attacking a pro-government member.
On Monday, chaos repeated for a second time this month after pro-Beijing lawmakers gained control of the important housing committee.
The scuffle started after a pro-Beijing lawmaker, Chan Kin-por, prepared to preside over the committees election for a new leader. Opposition lawmakers approached the podium with signs and a black cloth to drape over the speakers dais in apparent protest.
Security guards stopped at least four opposition lawmakers from disrupting the session, which was suspended after a lawmaker sustained minor injuries.
A video of the session showed one of the opposition lawmakers being carried away while at least three others were pushed to the floor.
Media reports said the agitators wanted to prevent the passage of a bill that would criminalize the abuse of the national anthem.
The Asian financial hub was rocked in 2019 by months of massive anti-government protests over a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed suspected criminals to be sent from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial.
The protesters often heavily vandalized shops and public property and attacked citizens believed to be pro-government.
However, since the government imposed a ban on public meetings at the end of March to curb the coronavirus outbreak, Hong Kong has been relatively calm.
Western media said there were plans underway for protesters to surround the legislature next week to prevent the passage of the national anthem bill.
SOURCE: PRESS TV
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/17699
TAGS:
online news tv
