HK People Are Protesting In Their Bras Because A Woman Was Jailed For "Breast Assault"
A group of Hong Kong-ers have taken to the streets to question against a court decision sending a woman protestor to jail for using her breasts to "assault" a police officer.
By Rohini Rajaratnam — 03 Aug 2015, 04:33 PM
On 1 March 2015, a protest against cross-border trading in Hong Kong resulted in one of the female protestors being arrested for "breast assault" against a police officer
The state prosecutor brought a case against protestor Ng Lai-ying, 30, who works as a clerk for using her chest to bump against the right arm of Chief Inspector Chan Ka-po, who was trying to control the chaotic protest in Yuen Long that day.
The defense council claimed that the Chief Inspector, surnamed Chan, copped a feel of Ng's left breast while reaching for the strap of her bag during the protest. After the incident occurred, Ng had reportedly shouted: "Indecent assault!"
shanghaiist.comA trial that took place on 17 July saw Ng being sentenced to a 3-month jail term by Magistrate Pik-kiu, who ruled that she had lied about being assaulted and called her reputation-damaging claims "malicious"
"You used your female identity to trump up the allegation that the officer had molested you. This is a malicious act," he said, adding that it had caused great harm to the officer's reputation.
He also said that it was strange that Ng would only file a complaint for her bleeding, after alleging that she was pushed onto the ground by police, rather than sexual assault.
"It must have been a big deal for you had you been indecently assaulted," he said.
hongkongfp.com
Strangely, the victim - Chief Inspector Chan - failed to reasonably prove the extent of his injuries while Ng was shown in photos with a bloodied mouth being manhandled by policemen
The court decision infuriated Hong Kong residents and led to a heated online discussion where many participants mocked the judgement...
... Like this comic, which was uploaded on Instagram to mock the Magistrate's definition of "breast assault"
Outraged by the three-and-a-half month jail sentence given to a woman convicted of assaulting the police with her breasts, dozens of organisations staged a “breast walk” on 2 August to show their dissatisfaction with the court's decision
Around 100 people gathered for the light-hearted "breast walk" protest outside police headquarters in Wan Chai district, with some holding up bras and others wearing them over their tops.
Retired teacher James Hon, 66 (pictured below), wearing a pink bra over his white polo shirt said: "It's the first time to wear a bra in my entire life."
"We have come to this rather odd method to tell the world how ridiculous it is," he said.
The crowd chanted "Breasts are not weapons - give back our breast freedom!" and "Shame on police!" as a representative handed in a petition letter to a police officer
The Hong Kong Progressive Lawyers Group said in a statement, "We would, with great respect, express our doubts on the decision. As a matter of common sense, it seems improbable that someone who intended to attack another person would use her breast to do so".
"We better watch out as one day police might accuse us of attacking with our penis or buttock," a topless male activist wearing a black bra told the crowd.
Image via CNNA Justice Department spokesman said although residents had the right to criticise a verdict, they should not cross the legal boundary of insulting the judge
Such acts, the spokesman said, might constitute contempt of court or other offences. The department said it took note of the matter and follow-up action would be taken. It did not rule out the possibility of launching "judicial procedures".
