Dear all,
Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong has released the following statement in response to the effect to the local community from the use of Emergency Regulations Ordinance within the city:
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Free speech, expression and access to uncensored web services are some of the fundamental requirements for anyone living in Hong Kong to access Wikipedia and its sister projects, which is also a protected right under the Basic Law of Hong Kong.
Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong is in dire concern regarding recent moves by the government. The usage of such ordinance can bring negative effects to the local community and members of the public who want to access Wikipedia:
1. Usage of the ordinance can restrict the organization of offline meetups in Hong Kong 2. Usage of the ordinance can also restrict access to Wikipedia and its sister projects
Such worries are not fabricated, as a member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong expressed such possibility of removing internet access within Hong Kong through enacting relevant provisions.
We hope all members of the public, especially the police, the government itself, protesters, etc. to remain calm and not to initiate violence.
We also continue our stance to conference participants and organizers not to use Hong Kong as a transit point for going to/from events. *** William Chan (User:1233) Board Member, Education Programme Coordinator Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong