Hong Kong's opposition party folds, citing ‘immense political pressure' and ‘safety fears'
Hong Kong's opposition League of Social Democrats on Sunday cited 'immense political pressure' and 'safety' of its members in folding the party months before its 20th anniversary.
'We sadly announce that facing immense political pressure, and having considered all factors, especially the safety of our members and those who walk with us, we can only sadly announce our dissolution,' the party chairwoman Chan Po-ying said on Sunday.
When asked to specify the 'political pressure' it faced, Chan said she could say nothing beyond the 'disbandment statement' the party prepared.
The press conference at a Chai Wan industrial building was attended by Chan and six members, such as Figo Chan Ho-wun, Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, Raphael Wong Ho-ming and Tsang Kin-shing.
There was a heavy police presence outside the venue, with dozens of media outlets packing the small room.
Reading the statement titled 'rather be ashes than dust' in a press conference, Chan said the party, established for 19 years, recently experienced a 'crisis where almost all of its leadership faced imprisonment due to civil disobedience'.
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