The last Hong Kong pro-democracy party that held street protests disbands

HONG KONG — Hong Kong pro-democracy political party the League of Social Democrats announced Sunday that it had disbanded due to immense political pressure, the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that has quieted the city’s once-potent opposition.

After massive anti-government protests in 2019, many leading activists were prosecuted and often jailed under a 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing. Dozens of civil society groups dissolved. Media outlets critical of the government closed.

The League of Social Democrats was the only pro-democracy party that still staged small street protests from time to time, and it held street booth activities to carry on its advocacy despite the risks.

Its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, said the disbandment decision was made after careful deliberation, especially taking into account the consequences to its members and allies. Chan refused to elaborate on the pressure but said she was proud to say that the party had contributed to the city’s pro-democracy movement in these few years.

“We have stayed true to our original aspirations and haven’t let down ... the trust placed in us by those who went to prison,” she said. “While we are now forced to disband and feel an ache in our conscience, we have no other choice.”

Protests became rare under Beijing’s grip

Hong Kong, a former British colony, will mark the 28th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on Tuesday. The city used to hold annual pro-democracy protests that day and other demonstrations demanding policy changes.

But those ceased after most organizing groups were disbanded and the leading activists were jailed. Critics say the drastic political changes under the security law reflect that the freedoms Beijing promised to keep intact in 1997 are shrinking.

The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law is necessary for the city’s stability. A Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs in 2023 said protests are not the only way for people to express their views, signaling Beijing’s stance toward demonstrations in the city.

In April, Hong Kong’s biggest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, also voted to give its leadership the mandate to move toward a potential disbandment. Party veterans told the Associated Press that some members were warned of consequences if the party didn’t shut down. A final vote is expected at a later date.

Chan said she believed the “one country, two systems” principle, which Beijing uses to govern Hong Kong, has already ended, pointing to the Chinese government’s imposition of the security law and introduction of the concept of “soft resistance,” a term officials use to refer to underlying security risks.

“One country, two systems has already [become] one country, one system,” she said.

A party known for confrontational tactics

Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats was a left-wing political party that opposed what it called collusion between government and business, upheld the principle that people have a say and was firmly committed to the interests of underprivileged residents.

It was widely known for its more aggressive tactics when fighting for change. Its members have thrown bananas, eggs and lunch meat at officials or pro-Beijing lawmakers as a protest gesture. Its party platform said the group advocated nonviolent resistance but would not avoid physical confrontations — a stance that set it apart from older, traditional pro-democracy groups.

It once had three lawmakers in office. Its longest-serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-hung — Chan’s husband — was disqualified from the legislature due to his manner of taking his oath in office in 2017.

Members arrested and jailed over activism

On the streets, the group’s activism led to the arrests and jailing of its members.

Last year, Leung and prominent LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham, a former party leader, were sentenced to nearly seven years and more than four years, respectively, over their roles in an unofficial primary election under the sweeping security law. Sham was freed from prison last month.

In recent years, the party has had limited political influence, no longer holding any seats in the legislature or local district councils. Even a bank ceased to provide account services to the group.

But it continued to stage occasional small protests, despite those activities sometimes leading to arrests. On June 12, Chan and other members were fined after being found guilty over their street booth activities.

Undeterred by their convictions, they kept pressing on and protested against the ruling outside the court.

Chan wiped away tears during Sunday’s news conference and chanted slogans with other members at the end.

She said she doesn’t believe that democracy will come in the near future.

“Moving forward is not at all easy,” she said. “I hope everyone can become like an ember, a flying spark — still carrying light, keeping that light alive, no matter how small it may be.”

Leung writes for the Associated Press.