Last Sunday (14 July) a local community group Sai Kung Commons (西貢鄉民) organised a public showing of two episodes of an RTHK documentary series Hong Kong Connection (铿锵集); This Early Summer, and Sunshine Justice. The episodes describe the relationship between young people and the anti Fugitive Offenders Ordinance protesters and the issue of current Chinese rule of law respectively.
The organisation held the screening in King Man Street by the Government Offices. They arranged the projection equipment on the open space and placed chairs around the area for spectators.
During the screening, a middle-aged man appeared suddenly, yelling at the residents and the organisers who were watching the screening.
Carol Ho, an environmental and planning activist in Sai Kung and a co-organiser of the screening, recalled that the man was constantly swearing that they were “thugs” and “traitors” and accused the filmmakers of “confusing Hong Kong”, also shouting “This is Sai Kung – run away from Sai Kung!” Carol immediately started remonstrating with the man, but more men joined him, and as the situation was getting out of hand someone called the police for help. The incident was settled after the police arrived.
Debby Chan Ka Lam, a member of the Sai Kung Commons, who is responsible for the event, said that previously they have held two screenings and they were not harassed. As for the selection of the two episodes of Hong Kong Connection, the main purpose was to provide the public with space to discuss the political situation. However, some members of the public asked them why they were not showing a film supporting the police. She replied that Hong Kong Connection was a more credible programme as it was not a one-sided opinion. “We want everyone to understand what students feel about current affairs, not just their behaviour, we need to hear their voices.”
Police said that a member of the public had reported earlier in the evening that someone was setting up a projector on the site to prepare to play the film. During the show, someone came forward to argue with the organiser. The police received a report that two people were arguing. After investigation the incident was classified as a “dispute”.
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