Tag: veto

Vetoed 28 – 8!

change-governemnt

The Beijing dictated ‘Motion Concerning the Amendment to the Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’ a method of faux Universal Suffrage has been vetoed by the Hong Kong Legislature by 28 Votes to 8

The vote took place at 12:33 today far earlier than many expected after all the Legco members who wished to speak had done so and a vote was called for.

In a strategy based on the rule that at least 35 members have to present before a bill can be put to a vote, the Pro-Beijing Legco members walked out of the Chamber. If not enough members are present, the Chairman will ring the bell to ask for members to return to the hall. If there still is not enough people present after 15 minutes, the meeting will be adjourned.

However, not enough Pro Beijing members walked out and 36 Legco members remained, and the vote proceeded.

There’s long faces all around on the Pro-Beijing lawmakers, ironic really that they failed to vote on the reform measure because they didn’t understand the Democratic processes of the Legislature.

There was joyous celebrations inside and outside after the vote.

The reality is that the veto is but one step on the long road to where the people of Hong Kong can hold their Chief Executive accountable for his job performance. CY Leung has shown shown complete and utter contempt for anyone who can’t do something for him. This is not the attitude for a Chief Executive.

Will Legco Hear the People Sing?

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/UMHK-Legco-17-June-2015/50005915_LSmKDh#!i=4139401513&k=Q6djjZN

The atmosphere is noisy but the hot weather is keep tensions low as crowded outside the Legislative Council public entrance are hundreds of people segregated by barricades into a pro-china side and a pro-democracy side. Reporters armed with still and video cameras fill the neutral between the two camps, others tweet as they wander looking for comment and reaction in the respective camps to the debate taking place inside about the proposed refrom of the selection procedure for the Chief Executive of Hong Koing

On the left closest to Legislative Council Road the pro real democracy protestors are stationed next to the long standing Tin Mei protest village. On the right towards Tamar Park, the Pro-China supporters parade up and down the ramp from the park in groups waving large Chinese flags as they do so. By the late afternoon, the protest numbers have almost doubled as many arrive wearing red or yellow to indicate their views.

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On the Pro-China side, supporters wearing numbered shirts and hats hide beneath dark umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun, almost like vampires. The zone is crammed with mass produced banners, while ideologically sound music at rock concert volumes seeks to deafen the chants coming from the other side. With speakers strategically placed to cause irritation and annoyance among those looking to man the pro-democracy barricades. Along the 80m frontline of barricades bordering the two sections, the pro-China camp in an almost workman like and passionless manner taunt and sneer, pulling faces, insulting and repeatedly mockingly gesturing that they cant hear any of the comments from the Pro-democracy side.

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/UMHK-Legco-17-June-2015/50005915_LSmKDh#!i=4139391363&k=9TrnJnX

In contrast to the red of the Pro-china zone of the protest, the symbolic yellow and black umbrella banners festoon the pro-democracy half. Although there are not as many loudspeakers to amplify their voices, the passion of their belief resonates loudly as they seek to communicate their message, their want for a real democracy. Selective policing denies the pro Democracy camp the poles and sticks, so the banners are hung on the barricades for the Pro-Chinese to see. Familiar faces from the Umbrella protests gather in the shade to chant ‘say no to fake democracy’ just loud enough to encourage more to join and to spark irritation amongst those on the otherside. Many of todays chants were led, as usual, by Eric the shirtless artist channeling the support of his fellow protestors as he spat out insults and words of disapproval, the booing of the pro-China side only stoking the fires of democracy.

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/UMHK-Legco-17-June-2015/50005915_LSmKDh#!i=4139400674&k=p3JF4Qv