Protesters call for suspension of teacher Alpais Lam

A small group of protesters arrived at a Fanling primary school on Monday morning to petition for the suspension of teacher Alpais Lam Wai-sze, claiming she had set a bad example for students after swearing at police during a protest in July.

The four-man group arrived shortly after the first bell of the school year went off, amid a heavy police presence and support staff from the Education Bureau. Potential clashes were expected between Lam’s supporters and detractors.

A representative for the group, who only referred to himself by the alias “Chiu Tsz-long”, said the group was calling for Lam to apologise to police officers that she verbally abused in Mongkok in July after accusing them of mishandling a clash between supporters and critics of the Falun Gong. A video of the feud went viral over the internet.

Chiu said Lam was “suffering from a personality disorder” and demanded her school, Pui Ling School of the Precious Blood, suspend her until she recovered from it.

“We want the principal of Pui Ling to suspend Lam until she recovers from her personality disorder and issues a formal apology to the police in Mongkok,” said Chiu, stressing that the group was not asking for her to be sacked. “We are not targeting Lam personally … This is an issue of ethics and human character.”

But most parents of Pui Ling students did not see a problem with Lam’s actions.