Legco election candidates line up to condemn Mong Kok violence amid calls for an explanation from Hong Kong Indigenous
Group led by poll candidate Edward Leung Tin-kei, who was arrested during the riot, should explain themselves, rivals say
Candidates standing in a Legislative Council by-election this month against Edward Leung Tin-kei, one of the alleged rioters arrested by police in Mong Kok, have spoken out on Monday night’s chaos and allegations that the group Leung hails from, Hong Kong Indigenous, was behind the violence.
The by-election, triggered by the resignation last year of Ronny Tong Ka-wah of the Civic Party from his Legco seat for New Territories East, will take place on February 28 with seven candidates including Leung vying for a win.
Writing on his Facebook page, barrister and Civic Party candidate Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu yesterday slammed police for using excessive force against the street hawkers and protesters at the scene.
“The hawkers were only trying to make a bit more money during the Lunar New Year period ... Why did they have to be stamped out?” Yeung wrote. “Many innocent residents were injured by the police. Police also opened fire illegally ... These things are not acceptable under the rule of law.”
READ MORE: Explained: who are Hong Kong Indigenous and what was their role in the Mong Kok protest and riot?
He also said he “disagreed” with the actions of the protesters including their beating of police officers and attacks on journalists.