The untimely death of a Hong Kong university student amid protests in the city should not be used as an excuse to trigger more violence, a veteran educator said on Sunday.
Wong Kwan-yu, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, appealed to all parties to refrain from violence while mourning the loss of the victim from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Wong also called on young people to regard the death as a warning of the risks of joining any dangerous events.
In the early hours of Nov 4, Chow Tsz-lok, 22, fell from the third floor to the second floor of a public parking lot in the Tseung Kwan O area. He died at about 8 am on Nov 8. According to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which confirmed the student's death, Chow suffered a severe brain injury in the fall.
Widespread vandalism was subsequently reported on the university campus, with hundreds of masked, radical perpetrators marching to the residence of the university's president, breaking windows and spraying graffiti on walls. A canteen, bank branch and office of a professor from the Chinese mainland were also reportedly ransacked and vandalized. The violence occurred amid a number of online posts blaming the student's death on local police action and calling for "revenge".
"Some people" in society are using the tragic death to fuel the chaos, Wong said. His association represents more than 2,600 educators from elementary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
Wong called on the students who are concerned about Chow's death to think independently and carefully consider their own actions. "If they respond with violence, what's in it for them and the others?" he asked.
Wong stressed that the tragedy should serve as a warning of the risks of engaging in dangerous activities, although the cause of the student's death remained unclear and investigations are ongoing.
Universities also have the responsibility of keeping campuses safe, and violence and hate speech on the school grounds will be not tolerated, Wong said.
The administrators of the universities should take measures to rein in those who spread violence and hate speech on campus. They should also carry out counseling, to urge students to remain calm until the facts are out, Wong said.
HKUST on Sunday announced that all classes will be canceled on Monday, as campus facilities need to be repaired. In a statement to media, the university called on all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint. Violence cannot solve any problems and will only intensify conflicts and inflict greater damage, it added.
In another statement issued to its students, faculty and alumni on the same day, the university said violence on campus will not be tolerated.
Thousands gathered in multiple districts on Friday night to mourn the death of the student. Protesters later turned violent in areas such as Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Tseung Kwan O, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, blocking roads, setting fire to property and vandalizing transportation facilities.
