Beijing’s Security Law SILENCES Dissent!

The League of Social Democrats has announced its disbandment on June 29 under intense political pressure, eliminating Hong Kong’s last pro-democracy party still staging street demonstrations.

At a Glance

• The League of Social Democrats (LSD), founded in 2006, formally disbanded on June 29 due to overwhelming political repression.
• It was Hong Kong’s final active pro-democracy party still engaging in small-scale protests and outreach.
• Chairperson Chan Po-ying cited safety concerns and fear of repercussions for members.
• Several party leaders, including co-founder Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham, remain imprisoned.
• The city’s pro-democracy landscape now lacks any formal organization willing to mobilize on the streets.

A Political Milestone—and a Setback

Hong Kong’s League of Social Democrats, co-founded by veteran activist Leung Kwok-hung, announced it was disbanding “after careful deliberation,” citing “immense political pressure” following the 2020 national security law and the 2024 Article 23 legislation. Its chair, Chan Po‑ying, lamented that dissolving the party felt like abandoning their values—but emphasized there was no viable alternative under tightening repression, as reported by AP News and Reuters.

Once known for theatrical street protests—throwing eggs, bananas, and even luncheon meat—the LSD remained bold even as other opposition parties dissolved or self-censored, according to their Wikipedia entry. Despite its decline and dwindling resources, it held minor public assemblies as recently as June 12, which resulted in fines and arrests detailed by AP News.

Crushing the Last Voice

Since the sweeping crackdown following 2019 protests, Hong Kong has seen rapid erosion of civil liberties. Under the national security law alone, hundreds have been arrested; Article 23 further bans acts deemed as sedition, treason, and collusion with foreign forces. LSD’s dissolution makes it the third major pro‑democracy party to fall in two years, after the Democratic Party and others, according to Reuters.

Chan warned that Hong Kong’s model of “one country, two systems” has become “one country, one system,” signaling that dissent is no longer tolerated, as noted by AP News.

After the Smoke Clears
With its disbanding, Hong Kong now lacks any formal pro-democracy group capable of organizing public protest. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities claim stability has been restored and dismiss the need for street gatherings, per Reuters. But critics argue that this political silence comes at the expense of freedom and civic resilience.

Watch a report: Last Hong Kong protest party disbands amid pressure.

As July 1 approaches—the anniversary of the 1997 handover—Hong Kong stands without any organized public voice, symbolic of its civic transformation into a city where protest is not only discouraged, but systematically dismantled.