The League of Social Democrats (LSD) in Hong Kong has announced that it will close after five years of intense political pressure and security crackdown. It is the third major pro-democracy group to close in the past two years, leaving Hong Kong without a formal opposition.
Founded in 2006 by former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung, known as “Long Hair,” LSD uses radical street tactics to push for full democracy and to retaliate against Beijing. In 2020, a national security law was passed that punishes subversion with life imprisonment. This was followed by Article 23 in 2024, which criminalized sedition and treason.
According to Chan Po-ying, the group's current chair, they have no other option but to close it for the safety of its members. He said, “We have continued to see the disappearance of civil society, the weakening of the voice of the masses, and the severe suppression of dissent.” Three of their members were recently fined after setting up a booth with black cloth as a symbol of protest.
Their founder Leung is currently serving a six-year and nine-month prison sentence for a subversion case. Jimmy Sham, another leader, was also imprisoned and was recently released. According to reports, more than 300 people have been arrested under the new law.
Despite this, Figo Chan urged Hong Kong people not to stop supporting the vulnerable and continue to stand up against wrong.
