The rallies held yesterday, 27 April, in Discovery Bay and Admiralty combined to send a single message – that anything but a thorough investigation into the disappearance and death of Vicky Flores will not be tolerated. The very good turnout in Discovery Bay showed the depth of community concern about the issue, and the Admiralty rally allowed us to join with those on Hong Kong side while presenting copies of our petition to the Philippine Consulate and Hong Kong police.
Discovery Bay
The Discovery Bay rally filled the forecourt of the International School, with speakers standing on a parked crane to address the crowd. In attendance were Vicky’s sister Irene, her aunt and her godmother. Speakers included representatives from the Highlander organisation, the JIL church, a migrant group from Iloilo in the Philippines and various migrant worker organisations. Vicky’s aunt also spoke, and James Rice conducted the proceedings.
James, Discovery Bay resident and author of Take Your Rights Seriously, a legal rights handbook for migrant workers, spoke about the importance of justice, and how it encompassed concern and respect.
The rally concluded with a group walk to the Discovery Bay Plaza, which allowed us to show local residents just how many people were concerned about the investigation into Vicky’s disappearance and death.
Admiralty
The rally in Harcourt Garden, Admiralty gathered together concerned people from Discovery Bay and the Hong Kong and Kowloon sides of the harbour. Vicky’s sister and aunt were again in attendance. Beginning in the Garden and moving to the Philippine Consulate across the street, the rally ended outside the Hong Kong Police Headquarters.
Eman Villanueva, Secretary-General of UNIFIL-HK, began the rally with a simple statement – that people were very carefully watching how the police conducted their investigation into Vicky’s death.
Copies of the petition were delivered to both the Philippine Consulate and a police representative during the rally. Benefiting from the commitment and organisation of migrant worker groups, and from television coverage on TVB, we are confident that both rallies put additional pressure on the Hong Kong government to deliver the justice that Vicky deserves.
Next Steps
Much of what happens now is up to Vicky’s family, who are awaiting delivery of the autopsy report. Members of our group with legal and medical experience will provide advice on what the report means. We will keep you up to date on any developments.
In the medium term, James Rice has agreed to make a revised edition of his book on migrant worker legal concerns, Take Your Rights Seriously, available for free online. We will announce where it will be available when the revisions have been completed.
This blog will continue to carry any available news on the investigation into Vicky’s disappearance and death, and links to relevant media reports or other online coverage. Our thanks go to everyone who attended the rallies and everyone who didn’t but showed their support in phone calls, blog comments and emails. We have passed all messages on to Vicky’s family.
Hello. And Bye. :)
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