Teachers’ union latest to quit HK Alliance

The Professional Teachers’ Union (PTU) has become the latest group to withdraw from the alliance that used to organise Hong Kong’s June 4 candlelight vigils.

The Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China has for months been accused by pro-Beijing figures of violating the national security law, prompting many pro-democracy groups to pull out.

The PTU’s chairman, Fung Wai-wah, said on Thursday that the group has decided to quit the alliance following a meeting of its council members.

He said members were forced to make the “very difficult decision” after taking into account the “deteriorating political environment” in Hong Kong.

However, Fung stressed the union’s pro-democracy stance hasn’t changed, and will continue to support calls for the vindication of the June 4th movement.

The PTU’s founder, the late ex-lawmaker Szeto Wah, also founded the alliance after Beijing’s bloody crackdown in 1989.

In March, the union announced that it would stop participating in meetings of the Civil Human Rights Front, after this group was also accused by the pro-Beijing camp of violating the security law.

The front had organised many of the largest pro-democracy rallies in Hong Kong, including during the 2019 protests.
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Last updated: 2021-07-29 HKT 21:27