Dear Ms. Wan,

I am a secondary school teacher and a writer of a local magazine. On 11^th January 2010, at 3:00 pm I led a group of about 40 junior secondary students in school uniforms to the open area of Cultural Centre to conduct a survey on the public opinion on conservation of the former Marine Police Headquarters Compound. When the survey began, a security guard warned us that such an activity was prohibited in the area. Despite knowing the purpose of our survey, she requestedus to move to the area around the Clock Tower. When we moved to the open area around the Clock Tower, an officer in suit, together with a security guard also asked us not to do the survey although I have already stated the purpose of our activity.According to the officer, we must apply for a permit to do so.

Their actions caused a lot of disturbance to the activity.I would therefore here, to ask you to clarify the following points:

1.Is there any existing regulation that schools or students must obtain ‘official permission’ when doing surveys for educational purpose in public open areas managed by LCSD, under the condition they cause no disturbance or nuisance to the public? If yes, please suggest.

2.If the answer to the above question is “yes”, is this a policy applicable to all public open areas managed by LCSD?

3.If there is no such territory-wide policy, is the officer authorized to disallow students to conduct a survey there?

There are thousands of surveys being done by secondary students in public open areas every year. Such educational activities can hardly cause nuisance to other users. I believe that the society would not expect that schools or secondary students need to have permits to do any survey or interview in public squares and parks.

Please be informed that your reply might be publicized in the media.I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

XXX(my name)

連結:

有關事件之來龍去脈請閱 今天我和學生被驅趕

tommyjonk代勞的中譯本