Proposal to build fences around LegCo complex

(11-18 18:45)

The government has proposed erecting three-meter high fences around a large portion of the Legislative Council complex in Admiralty. They would be similar to the ones outside the forecourt of the Government Headquarters next door, known as the Civic Square. The proposal, which sources said was far from conclusive, was discussed at a meeting of the Legislative Council Commission on Tuesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, multiple sources told RTHK that the suggestion to erect the fences came from the Architectural Services Department which deals with the maintenance of the building. The three-meter high fences would, if built, cover a good portion of the complex including the sides facing the Government Headquarters, Tim Mei Avenue and Tamar Park. For the covered demonstration area north of the Council complex, it was proposed that heavy barricades weighing 50 kilograms each be placed there. The sources stressed no conclusion was reached at the meeting and there was no timetable as to when the issue will be discussed again. It was understood that pan-democratic lawmakers who attended the meeting strongly opposed the idea. One lawmaker said the public should be consulted about the proposal since the legislature had held a public consultation over its archives last year. Other pan-democratic legislators said all 70 lawmakers should be consulted. A pro-establishment lawmaker at the meeting remarked that putting up the fences would not be enough and that the legislature should have security measures that could guard against "terrorist attacks". The fences around the Civic Square are currently subject to a court challenge. Before the Occupy movement started, some pro-democracy student leaders climbed over fences to enter the Square, saying it was public space where public demonstrations had been allowed in previous years. The government, however, argued that protest in the area had always been subject to regulations. --RTHK

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Proposal to build fences around LegCo complex