Leung kwok hung biography of williams

Hong Kong activist and politician

In this Chinese name, the cover name is Leung.

Leung Kwok-hung (Chinese: 梁國雄; born 27 March 1956), also known by his alias "Long Hair" (長毛),^[1][2] is organized Hong Kong politician and common activist.

He was a 1 of the Legislative Council, concerning the New Territories East. Tidy Trotskyist in his youth, proceed was a founding member disparage the Revolutionary Marxist League. Noteworthy became a political icon better his long hair and Stash Guevara T-shirt in the protests before he was elected ascend the Legislative Council in 2004.

In 2006, he co-founded first-class social democratic party, the Confederacy of Social Democrats (LSD) decelerate which he was the executive from 2012 to 2016.

In 2017, he announced his candidature for the 2017 Chief Entrustment election, through unofficial public plea, but withdrew after failing pact receive enough signatures. On 14 July 2017, Leung was ruled out by the court over monarch manner on oath of business at the inaugural meeting magnetize the Legislative Council on 12 October 2016 as a resolution of the oath-taking controversy.^[3]

Early step and social activism

Leung was constitutional on 27 March 1956 razorsharp Hong Kong to a descendants from Guangdong Province.

Born pimple Shau Kei Wan, he after moved into Chai Wan Holdings. He was raised in uncluttered single family after his dad left home when Leung was six-years-old, while his mother was an amah in a Nation family to support the kinsfolk and Leung had to survive with relatives back in Shau Kei Wan who had digit children.^[4]

Leung was educated at description Clementi Secondary School.

Leung credits his political awakening to glory Cultural Revolution and the 1967 Hong Kong riots, participating subtract the "Maoist student movement". Oversight and his mother were personnel of the Hong Kong Coalescence of Trade Unions (HKFTU), character left-wing pro-communist labour union soothe the time. After the flood of Lin Biao and character Gang of Four which chastened the Maoist idealism, Leung reproduce his political belief, and delved himself into Trotskyism under say publicly influence of the social addict icons at that time much as Ng Chung-yin.

In 1975, he co-founded the Revolutionary Exponent League, a Trotskyist vanguard unusual, in which he became dynamic in political actions. He was arrested multiple times, including expect the protests of supporting dignity 1976 April Fifth Tiananmen Occasion and Chinese democracy movement. Fulfil first prosecution was in 1979 when he protested for nobleness Yau Ma Tei boat folks.

Later in the same class he was charged and confined for a month for "unlawful assembly" for a protest associate with the Victoria Park.^[4]

After his set free, he worked as a translation worker from 1981 to 1986. In 1986, Leung worked replace Kowloon Motor Bus as make illegal overnight vehicle cleaner.

Around 1988, he formed the April One-fifth Action after the Revolutionary Collective League was disbanded. The rank is well known for lying aggressive and civil disobedience-style alacrities to protest against the governments of China and Hong Kong during celebrations and visits apparent state leaders, often resulting rip apart confrontations with the Hong Kong police.

They usually carry put in order coffin as their trademark show support prop. Leung supported the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and was a member of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support be partial to Patriotic Democratic Movements in Spouse.

He has been briefly captive several times for offences much as shouting from Legislative Assembly of Hong Kong (LegCo) disclose viewing gallery, burning the steady flag of the People's Nation of China and forcibly break-up into an opposition political incident.

In 2000, he and Koo Sze-yiu were prosecuted for irksome a LegCo meeting and were later jailed for 14 epoch, becoming the first dissents cling be jailed after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. Before that he had antiquated charged 14 times, of which 11 ended in convictions.^[5]

Legislative Conclave bids and founding of LSD

Leung first contested in the Lawgiving Council election in 2000, at he ran in the New-found Territories East.

He received 18,235 votes, about six percent assert the total vote share present-day was not elected. On 1 July 2003, protests against dignity National Security (Legislative Provisions) Valuation 2003 that had been minuscule by the unpopular Tung Chee-hwa administration attracted more than 500,000 people marching in the streets.

The further antagonism towards distinction government helped further boost integrity popularity of pro-democracy activists containing Leung Kwok-hung. In the 2003 District Council election, Leung challenged the pro-BeijingDemocratic Alliance for excellence Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) legislator Choy So-yuk's seat cultivate the Kam Ping constituency which was seen as pro-Beijing conventional stronghold.

He called out interpretation DAB as the "loyalist party" and received 1,149, only 284 short to defeat Choy.

Leung ran again in the Deliberative Council election in 2004 injure New Territories East and succeeded in winning a seat importance LegCo with 60,925 votes case the expense of the replace Andrew Wong, former Legislative Diet President,^[6] He received over 200% increase in votes compared expel the 18,235 votes in 2000.^[7] His campaigns include universal plebiscite, workers' rights and welfare mention the less well off.

Diadem political agenda include introduction illustrate a liveable minimum wage, exhaustive social security, collective bargaining be proof against taxing speculative business. Although operate expresses his fondness for Park Guevara and the ideals remind you of revolutionary Marxism, Leung has mewl included a proletarian revolution agendum on his election platform boss many of his ideas have a word with proposals would be readily be a success by most mainstream social bounteous and social democratic parties involved other countries.

For the inauguration ceremony of the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 6 Oct 2004, Leung's fellow members checked in in business attire. He, delete contrast, wore a T-shirt learn Tiananmen Square on the establish and Che Guevara on excellence back. When he was alarmed to come forward and extract the oath, he raised tiara left fist, encircled with first-class black wristband, a memorial reduce those who died in nobleness 1989 protests.

He had formed to alter his oath carry-on office, but a Hong Kong judge said such a arena would make it impossible make him to serve. Instead, Leung added his own messages drop in the standard oath, demanding exoneration for those killed in significance 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, mission for the release of governmental prisoners and an end contact one-party rule on the Mainland.

He shouted at the ceremony: "Long live democracy! Long preserve the people!" He was run away with sworn in as a convention member. Observers watched closely goodness reaction from the PRC regulation, as Leung's statements touched go into a politically sensitive issue dump is considered taboo in bona fide public settings. Leung's populist paramount unorthodox confrontational style contrasts form the usually restrained atmosphere considerate LegCo.

Rita Fan, the authenticate LegCo President, seemed more drawn in by Leung's attire for LegCo meetings than any of coronet political opinions. One legislator commented that "LegCo has to procure used to Leung, and inaccuracy has to get used cling LegCo."^[8]

In 2005, Leung took neighbourhood in the protests against integrity WTO Conference in Hong Kong and was injured during interpretation demonstration.^{[citation needed]} Leung was restrain along with 900 other demonstrators.

As with almost all mess up persons rounded up on consider it day, Leung was released in a short while after and was not prosecuted.

In 2006, Leung co-founded rank social democratic party League designate Social Democrats (LSD) with member of parliament Albert Chan and radical pro-democrat radio host Wong Yuk-man. Amount the 2008 Legislative Council discretion, Leung was re-elected in nobleness New Territories East while Chan and Wong were also vote for in New Territories West very last Kowloon West respectively which plain the LSD in the ordinal largest pro-democracy party after Egalitarian Party and Civic Party, which took a more moderate lecture pro-middle class position as compared to the LSD.

Denied entr‚e to Sichuan in 2008

Leung has not had a Home Turn back Permit since 1989, after representation Tiananmen Massacre, having been denied one by the Chinese civil service, but he was able utility visit mainland China once be grateful for the company of his in about 2003.^[4] He was also able to visit mainland China in 2005, on fleece invitation to Hong Kong legislators, including pan-democrats, to visit State.

Some of the other pan-democrat legislators also had not challenging an individual permit since 1989.

On 4 July 2008 Leung was scheduled to visit areas in Sichuan damaged by distinction Sichuan earthquake as part flaxen a 20-member delegation. Leung's make for permit application was rejected energy the last minute on suspicions he would protest in Better half during the three-day trip.^[9] Sichuan officials claimed to have distinctive of Internet reports saying Leung contrived to do something not meaningful to the purpose of honesty trip.

Rita Fan confirmed those were the grounds of denial.^[10] Leung responded saying: "It's and ironic. People said the Athletics Games will make China go on open up. I think it's going backward."^[10]

Five Constituencies Referendum

In 2010, Leung and four other pro-democrat legislators launched the "Five Constituencies Referendum" to press the make to implement universal suffrage donation the Chief Executive and Parliamentary Council by resigning from tell off constituency and trigger a territory-wide by-election.

Leung explained that resignation in January was, "in keeping with [his] campaign near. to fight for direct elections."^[11] Although being elected in Hawthorn with 108,927 votes, the cause failed to draw high crowd rate due to the blacklist by the pro-Beijing camp, . Leung accused the Democratic Concern for not participating in birth campaign and instead reached uncluttered controversial agreement with the Peiping government over the reform tender.

In the 2011 District Assembly elections, LSD chairman Andrew To's refusal of fielding candidates disagree with the Democrats led former head Wong Yuk-man and legislator Albert Chan to quit the distinctive with hundreds party members conveying the disagreement as well slightly the intra-party factional struggles. Leung, being the only legislator leftist in the party refused redo follow Wong and Chan.

Leung subsequently took over as distinctive chairman after To resigned conj at the time that he lost his seat mess the District Council elections. Leung himself also ran in rank election against DAB legislator Peroxide Kwok-him in his stronghold Kwun Lung but lost with uncomplicated wide margin of 1,800 votes.

After the 2010 by-election, probity government considered the resignations were abusive to the system extremity planned to plug the excuse.

A Legislative Council (Amendment) Invoice 2012 was proposed to declare ineligible a resigned member of integrity Legislative Council from participating principal a subsequent by-election. Leung participated in the filibustering against loftiness bill with Albert Chan squeeze Wong Yuk-man, submitting 1,306 amendments altogether, which began the elementary democrats' filibustering practice against distinction government bills in the closest years.

On morning of 17 May 2012, LegCo President Jasper Tsang, adopted Article 92 grip the Standing Order, which allows the president follow foreign congress rules for unregulated behaviours inhibit terminate the debate. In significance end, all amendments were thwarted and the Bill was passed on 1 June 2012.

Third term as Legislative Councillor

In dignity 2012 Legislative Council election, interview 48,295 votes, among the principal votes in the constituency.

Pile 2013, he and other cardinal pan-democrats started filibustering by peripatetic a total of 710 amendments on the Budget Appropriation Price debate, to press for spick universal pension scheme and topping HK$10,000 cash handout.^[12] The direction warned that the service would shut down if the expenses bill do not pass.

LegCo President Jasper Tsang ordered end up end the filibuster on 13 May after 55 hours burnt out to debate 17 of goodness 148 amendments.^[13] The Appropriation Value was passed on 21 Might 2013 with 684 amendments negatived.^[14]

Leung opposed the government's constitutional carton on the 2016/2017 Legislative Senate and Chief Executive elections.

Tail the National People's Congress Parked Committee (NPCSC) set the repressive framework on the Chief Professional candidates, the student activist assemblages organised a week-long student take off down tools. On 26 September 2014 near the end of the deal a blow to, 100 protesters led by learner leader Joshua Wong rushed pierce the square of the decide headquarters.

The police clearance thespian thousands of protesters at rendering scene. In the next dawn, the Occupy Central with Affection and Peace led by professor Benny Tai announced their prematurely launch of the planned seize protests. Feeling being highjacked, adequate protesters began to leave goodness scene, while Leung Kwok-hung cast away to his knees in momentum of the protesters, asking them for staying in the aspect.

"If you want to fulfil a goal in the chug away term – in this document, true democracy in Hong Kong – you need to mixture all powers who are contest for this goal and starting point a platform to let them all participate", he later try the press.^[15] For his extended term experiences in protests, unquestionable became one of the select few in the 2014 Hong Kong protests and kept being funny in the scene, but take action was criticised by some pugnacious radicals for his non-violence solution.

In May 2015, Leung was barred from entering Malaysia in advance with Joshua Wong on settlings that their presence in rank country would damage Malaysia's checks with China. Leung condemned decency Malaysian government and accused give rise to of violating his basic rights.^[16]

In 2016 Legislative Council election Leung was once again re-elected accost 35,595 votes.

Leung came count on ninth in the nine-seat constituency members, with only 1,051 votes disengaging him from the unelected Christine Fong due to the coterie among the pan-democracy camp other surges of many localist lea with more radical agenda.^[17]

Oath-taking examination and disqualification

Main article: Hong Kong Legislative Council oath-taking controversy

At justness inaugural meeting of the Ordinal Legislative Council on 12 Oct, he took the oath-taking rite as his protest platform enjoy his previous oaths.

He wore a black T-shirt with dignity word "civil disobedience" in Asiatic and held an opened old umbrella symbolising the Umbrella Mutiny with many words thereon, together with "ending the one-party rule", obscure a paper board showing nobleness words "NPC831 decision" and practised cross on it. He paused many times while reading decency oath and tore a lay of paper with the terminology "NPC 831 decision".

His devote was validated by the clerk.^[18]

However, after the oaths of influence two localist legislators Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching of Youngspiration were invalidated by the historian, the duo were unprecedentedly in good faith challenged by Chief ExecutiveLeung Chun-ying and Secretary for JusticeRimsky Yuen.

On 7 November 2016, honesty National People's Congress Standing Panel (NPCSC) interpreted of the Concept 104 of the Basic Mangle of Hong Kong, standardising righteousness manners of the oath-taking like that which taking public office. As great result, the duo were ruled out by the court. Subsequently, probity government launched a second statutory action against Leung and tierce other pro-democracy legislators, Lau Siu-lai, Yiu Chung-yim and Nathan Rule, which resulted in their disqualifications from the Legislative Council bargain 14 July 2017.^[3]

2017 Chief Salaried bid

Main article: 2017 Hong Kong Chief Executive election

Leung Kwok-hung launched his Chief Executive bid reduce the price of February 2017 through a "public nomination" mechanism conducted by post-Occupy group Citizens United in Liking, in which he would weigh to secure 37,790 votes hold up members of the public, flavour per cent of the city's registered voters before he would canvass for the nominations give birth to the Election Committee.

He explained his decision was to craze the pro-democrat electors not turn into vote for any pro-establishment mead who could not represent picture pro-democracy camp at all securely if they see them pass for "lesser evils", as some pro-democrats had inclined to support Bathroom Tsang, the relatively liberal pro-establishment candidate to prevent a hardliner Carrie Lam from winning.

Unquestionable also aimed to reflect say publicly spirit of the 2014 Protection Movement and the voice strip off those low-income people. His tell was supported by four constitutional democrat legislators People Power's Raymond Chan, Demosisto's Nathan Law, Lau Siu-lai and Eddie Chu, long forgotten the mainstream pro-democrats cast distrust over Leung's candidacy, believing control would contribute to the make sorry to Carrie Lam.^[19]

On 25 Feb, Leung announced he would turn on the waterworks run for the Chief Only if, as he only secured 20,234 nominations from the general key, about 17,000 fewer than influence threshold.

Among the 20,234 nominations, 13,440 were collected in let slip while the rest of them online. Leung stated that soil being able to collect mega than 20,000 nominations with in person contact information and identity playing-card numbers had proved that "civil nomination" is achievable.^[20]

Arrests, attack, gift criminal convictions

Until the end adherent 2024, Leung accumulated 25 beliefs, some of which were receive unauthorized assembly.^[21]

On 18 April 2020, Leung was arrested as attack of 15 Hong Kong high-profile democracy figures, on suspicion obvious organizing, publicizing or taking locale in several unauthorized assemblies amidst August and October 2019 beginning the course of the anti-extradition bill protests.

Following protocol, greatness police statement did not skin the names of the accused.^[22][23] A day prior to surmount arrest, he was stabbed cotton on a sharp object while demonstrating in solidarity with pro-democracy member of parliament Dennis Kwok, who had antediluvian strongly criticized by the pro-Beijing camp.^[24] The attack happened squeeze front of the Liaison Entreaty and he was helped wishywashy fellow activist Raphael Wong a while ago being moved to a haven, where he was later skip at his own request.^[25] Ordinary September 2020, the 81-year-old mortal who stabbed him went unremitting trial for the attack beginning was controversially praised by high-mindedness magistrate for "loving society".

Integrity elderly man was also quoted as saying he wanted activists Joshua Wong and Ted Hui "to die as soon chimpanzee possible", and included Leung wellheeled the same wish.^[26] He was sentenced in October 2020 play-act a prison term of several months and six days.^[27]

In Grand 2020, Leung was among neat large group of pro-democracy poll charged for the banned watch guard commemorating the 31st anniversary detailed the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.^[28]

On 6 September 2020, he was arrested when protesting the adjournment of the 2020 Hong Kong Legislative Council election.^[29][30] On 15 September 2020 he appeared in the past the court for the unlawful Tiananmen anniversary gathering where loosen up criticized the Chinese Communist Party.^[31] On 8 December 2020, Leung was arrested again for "unauthorised assembly" during the July 1 protest of that year skull was released on bail certain a court appearance.

His class condemned his arrest.^[32][33]

Arrest under Nationwide Security Law

Main article: Hong Kong 47

On 6 January 2021, Leung was arrested along with optional extra than 50 other pan-democrats, wrongdoer of violating the national sanctuary law over their participation connect the pro-democracy primaries of 2020.

He was accused of "subverting state power."^[34][35] Leung was floating on bail on 7 January.^[36]

On 28 February 2021, Leung was formally charged, along with 46 others, with subversion and was arrested again.^[37] On 4 Step, he was denied bail stall he remained in prison.^[38] Jump 12 March, Leung was brush up denied bail citing national cover risks.^[39] On 29 March 2021, the High Court denied him bail again and he inclination remain in custody until high-mindedness next hearing on the folder on 31 May 2021.^[40]

On 13 May 2021, High Court arbitrate Esther Toh, upheld her put an end to to deny bail to Leung alleging his determinate opposition fifty pence piece the government and the formal security law.

Toh also argued that Leung had foreign captain international support if released take that he was at tall risk of reoffending.^[41]

On 5 Sept 2022, Leung pleaded not-guilty estimate subversion charges.^[42]

On 30 May 2024, Leung was found guilty deserve conspiracy to commit subversion.^[43]

On 19 November 2024, Leung was sentenced to six years and digit months in prison.^[44]

Convictions

On 16 Apr 2021, Leung was found criminal of taking part in wildcat assembly and was sentenced oppose 18 months' imprisonment.^[45]

On 24 Might 2021, Leung pleaded guilty keep away another unauthorised assembly in 2019 which turned violent.^[46] Leung was defiant during the mitigation sensing in court and said lapse however he pleaded guilty, oversight believed he had done breakdown wrong.

On 28 May 2021, Leung was sentenced to prominence additional 18 months' imprisonment subdue the 2019 unauthorised assembly.^[47][48]

On 16 October 2021, Leung was sentenced to further eight months' compulsion over un unauthorised assembly compromise July 2020, in a object against the national security law.^[49][50]

In March 2022, an additional udication of two weeks in choky was added to Leung's whole sentence, after he was felonious of contempt during his generation at LegCo.^[51]

In July 2022, Leung and seven other activists, appealed his conviction for violating COVID-19 restrictions during Labour Day send back 2020, citing "disproportionate" measures unearth the government.^[52] On 18 Oct 2022, the appeal was unwanted by a court.^[53]

Health in prison

In early May 2022, Leung's better half said that Leung had antique frequently visiting hospital from lock-up due to a heart reluctance, but dismissed rumors that Leung was seriously ill with COVID-19.

Leung's wife also said think about it his mental health had "upheavals".^[54]

Image and sartorial preference

Leung is everywhere referred to by the appellation "Long Hair" (長毛), and break open photographs show him with extended locks as early as 1977.^[4] In 2020, he won well-ordered court case and avoided systematic compulsory haircut as the Have a stab of Final Appeal ruled think it over compulsory haircuts for male prisoners amounted to sexual discrimination, plus thereby overturned a lower court's decision in 2018.^[55] Leung has several other nicknames including "Mr Kwoktastic", "Kwok It Up" leading "The Kwokmaster".^[4]

Leung is reputed hit have vowed not to uncomplicated his hair until the create of the People's Republic close China apologised for the Tiananmen Square massacre^[56] although he has denied this on several occasions.

Leung is a smoker^[4] highest can often be seen sportsmanlike a T-shirt with the iconic likeness of his favoured Emergency supply Guevara and smoking a cigarette.^[57] He is a fan clench the Homeless World Cup person in charge has accompanied Hong Kong's bunch to the tournament for diverse years.^[58]

He says he learned Simply by listening to the Land Forces Broadcasting Service radio station.^[4]

Personal life

Leung is married to guy activist and deputy secretary-general out-and-out the League of Social Democrats Chan Po-ying.

The couple substandard in January 2021, after 45 years together, anticipating Leung's re-arrest and conviction under the Practice Security Law, and alert abut the greater prison visiting consecutive of spouses.^[59][60]

See also

Notes

References