Hong Kong legislature's protest area now a car park amid renovations

The Legislative Council (LegCo) in Hong Kong has confirmed what many have suspected: the Designated Demonstration Area, once envisioned as a space for public petitions and protests, is now functioning as a car park. This transformation, alongside the use of LegCo Square for parking, stems from renovations and the expansion of the legislature to accommodate 90 members. The LegCo Secretariat states this is necessary to meet operational needs, with all members and staff now housed under one roof.

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To meet operational needs, the LegCo Square and the whole area (including the Designated Demonstration Area) outside the main entrances to the Complex have been used as a parking area for Members and visitors to the Complex.

This development marks a stark contrast to the area's original purpose. The Designated Demonstration Area was established as the sole authorized location for public demonstrations at the legislature. However, its closure during the 2019 pro-democracy protests and subsequent pandemic restrictions led to its prolonged disuse. Despite past indications from legislative leadership, such as former president Andrew Leung, that the area might reopen, these plans have evidently been superseded by practical, or perhaps political, considerations.

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The Legislative Council Commission will keep the use of this area under review from time to time.

Leung had previously suggested the area could reopen in early 2025, contingent on safety and the necessity of such a large space given the reduced scale of current petition activities. However, the current use as a car park suggests a shift in priorities. While the LegCo Commission will review the area's use, the immediate reality is that a space intended for public expression has been repurposed for official convenience. This situation is likely to be viewed with disappointment by those who recall its original intent and the broader context of Hong Kong's political landscape.

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it “can only reopen when we get rid of the glass and can ensure it is safe,”