PolyU fallout: Nursing student expelled, others punished for role in ‘Democracy Wall’ protests
- A 30-year-old final-year graduate student is kicked out and former student union leader suspended for one year
- Ruling comes after disciplinary hearings against students who clashed with school officials, accusing them of communist ties
A Polytechnic University student has been expelled and another suspended for one year after they clashed with school officials over the covering of a student bulletin board, known as the “democracy wall”, that had independence posters placed on it.
The ruling on Friday was the result of disciplinary hearings against four students who arrived at school management offices on October 4 to seek a meeting with then-president Timothy Tong Wai-cheung about the disputed message board, with its management being taken over by the institution’s authorities after pro-independence messages had been posted.
The four students were among a group of about 10 others who filled into the office and prevented vice-president Geoffrey Shen Qiping and the dean of students Esmond Mok Chi-ming leaving that day.
“I am so sad that the freedom of expression in the city has fallen to such a state.
Facilities manager Frankie Yee said in a complaint that the students shouted at Shen and Mok with a loudspeaker, caused disturbances, ignored his orders, and verbally insulted the three of them. He said that Shen was knocked down during the melee.