Marco Leung Ling-kit (; March 7, 1984 – June 15, 2019) was a Hong Kong social activist who participated in the Umbrella Revolution and the movement against the extradition bill amendment. On the eve of the "Condemn the Repression, Withdraw the Evil Law" () protest march held on June 16, 2019, Leung hung banners at a high position in Admiralty’s Pacific Place, demanding the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill amendment rather than a postponement, the release of those arrested during the June 12 police-civilian clashes, and the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam as an act of accountability. He later fell from a height and died that evening, becoming the first casualty of the anti-extradition bill movement. Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the police indicated, either explicitly or implicitly, that Leung died by suicide. However, Leung’s father stated that he faced indifference from the police for a year following his son's death. His lawyer sent multiple letters to the police requesting the submission of the coroner's report but to no avail, raising suspicions of unfair treatment towards his son.
Biography Marco Leung Ling-kit was single during his lifetime and graduated from Form 5 at the and later repeated Form 5 at the . He studied a bridging course at Jinan University for three years before dropping out. Afterward, he worked part-time at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, as a van assistant, and in clerical positions at a Japanese department store. Subsequently, he transitioned to London Gold.
He lived with his parents in Yuen Long and had siblings. According to reports from the Hong Kong Economic Times and , Leung was known for his charitable activities. He raised funds to help build a Hope Primary School in Hunan Province, China, witnessed the school's completion, participated in rice distribution activities, visited elderly centers, and sponsored a visually impaired boy from Malawi through World Vision.
In 2013, Leung was involved in a case of exporting prohibited items and was arrested by Hong Kong Customs.
Leung participated in the Umbrella Revolution in 2014, primarily stationed in the Mong Kok occupied area, where he earned the nickname "Skeleton." He frequently clashed with the police. During the 2016 Hong Kong Legislative Council election, Leung assisted in the election campaign for Kwok Wai-keung of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions.
In July 2018, Leung was arrested by the police for "conspiracy to defraud" while working as a London Gold investment broker at a company involved in fraudulent activities under the guise of London Gold investment. He was later released on bail pending investigation.
During the protest on June 12, 2019, a person wearing a yellow raincoat and holding an umbrella led a crowd to attack the police line on . Netizens speculated that this person was Marco Leung.
Death At around 4 PM on June 15, 2019, Leung, dressed in a yellow raincoat with "Carrie Lam is killing Hong Kong, police are cold-blooded" () written on the back, climbed onto a temporary work platform over 20 meters high outside Pacific Place in Admiralty. He hung a banner on the scaffolding that read: "Fully withdraw the extradition bill, we are not rioters, release the students and the injured, Carrie Lam step down, Help Hong Kong." The police received a report from the mall security guard stating that Leung was wandering on the platform with a knife and a banner. They arrived on the scene, blocking two westbound lanes of Queensway, and firefighters also set up an inflatable rescue cushion on the ground as a precaution. While Leung was dangerously standing, some people on the scene began singing the hymn "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord." Legislative Councillor Roy Kwong, upon learning of the situation, rushed to the scene to support. He made three requests to the police to speak directly with Leung in order to persuade him to return to a safe place but was refused by the police, who only stated that a police negotiation team was on site. Roy Kwong then stayed on the pedestrian road opposite Queensway, using a loudspeaker to call out, "Come down, we will march together tomorrow," but his voice could not clearly reach the platform at Pacific Place, and Leung was unwilling to talk to the police negotiators. At around 8 PM, Leung took off his yellow coat and sat on the platform to rest, while armed police officers and firefighters were on alert upstairs. Around 9 PM, Leung suddenly climbed out of the scaffolding. Four firefighters tried to pull him back but failed, and he fell after his shirt was pulled off, landing on the pedestrian road next to the safety cushion. Firefighters immediately performed chest compressions to resuscitate Leung, while onlookers shouted encouragement. Witnessing the event, Roy Kwong broke down in tears.
Leung was sent to Ruttonjee Hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead, aged 35, becoming the first death in the anti-extradition bill movement. The police found two suicide notes in Leung's belongings. One was an accusation letter explaining that his reason for suicide was related to opposing the bill, and the other was instructions for his posthumous arrangements. In an interview with Apple Daily, Leung's parents stated that the government had driven Hong Kong people to such despair and that his roar was an expression of anger against an unjust and inhumane government. "Hong Kong is sick; it is the sorrow of seven million people and the sorrow of the next generation," they said. They also hoped that young people would not be too agitated and would not follow in their son's footsteps.
Memorial
On the evening of Leung Ling-kit’s death, dozens of citizens laid flowers outside Taikoo Place to mourn him, including pastor Chu Yiu-ming, one of the "Occupy Central Trio." Additionally, trams passing by sounded their horns in tribute. Some celebrities also expressed their feelings on social media by posting plain black images or in other ways. These included Joey Yung, Sammi Cheng, Charlene Choi, Stephy Tang, Kenny Kwan, Louis Cheung, Carlos Chan, Linda Chung, Cherry Ngan, , Jeannie Chan, , , , Wyman Wong, , Hins Cheung, Pakho Chau, Hubert Wu, Endy Chow, Eman Lam, Winki Lai, and . Miriam Yeung also posted "R.I.P" but later deleted it, which caused some controversy.
On June 16, protesters participating in the anti-extradition bill march laid flowers at the scene of Leung's death. The organizing group, Civil Human Rights Front, announced that 2 million+1 people joined the march, explaining that the "+1" represented Leung Ling-kit. At the "Lennon Wall" outside the Hong Kong government headquarters on Harcourt Road in Admiralty, citizens posted a photo of his back and a couplet reading, "His heroic spirit for the people will last forever, and his righteous cause will shine through the ages." Every 15 minutes, people bowed three times to Leung's photo and then three times towards Taikoo Place. On June 30, the memorial area outside the government headquarters was vandalized by participants in a pro-police rally.
On June 17, at the "Workers Against Extradition" rally organized by the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, Chairperson Carol Ng read a eulogy, describing Leung as a steadfast believer who sacrificed himself for democracy and freedom, stating that he was "pushed down by the regime." Ng also noted that Leung had participated in the Occupy movement five years earlier and expressed sadness over his passing.
On June 19, during a Legislative Council meeting, Jeremy Tam proposed a moment of silence for Leung Ling-kit. Chairman Andrew Leung rejected the proposal, deeming it did not meet the requirements, leading to protests from pro-democracy lawmakers. Later, Andrew Leung accepted Kenneth Leung's proposal, announcing a five-minute recess. Pro-democracy legislators stood in silence for one minute with white flowers, while most pro-establishment members left the chamber, including Kwok Wai-keung of the Federation of Trade Unions, whom Leung had once helped.
On June 21, the seventh day after Leung Ling-kit’s death, crowds gathered at the scene of the incident at Taikoo Place to lay flowers and pay their respects. The queue of citizens waiting to burn incense stretched to the High Court, and some played the hymn "Amazing Grace" on flutes in remembrance. In the evening, citizens held a ritual to send off the spirits, with nearly a thousand people gathering on Harcourt Road outside Taikoo Place. On the same day, since the government did not respond to the protesters’ demands by the deadline, a group of creators released an animated short film calling on protesters to "not retreat or disperse," ending with an image of Leung Ling-kit's back in a yellow raincoat, reiterating the five demands.
On June 29, singer Denise Ho attended the 30th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei. While walking the red carpet with the band CHTHONIC, she wore a bright yellow coat in memory of Leung Ling-kit.
On July 11, Leung Ling-kit's family set up a memorial for him at the in North Point. They agreed to hold a public memorial service at the nearby Java Road Playground with the assistance of the funeral committee, which included Reverend , Associate Professor of Political Science and Administration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, , and clinical psychologist Dr. James Ye. The Secretariat helped organize the event. Despite the rain, hundreds of people queued to enter the playground for the memorial ceremony. Citizens laid sunflowers, sang "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord," and bowed three times to the front stage inscribed with "Forever Remembered." Hong Kong legislators Cheung Chiu-hung, Hui Chi-fung, Eddie Chu, Raymond Chan, Au Nok-hin, Tanya Chan, Alvin Yeung, and singer Denise Ho attended, and actress Deanie Ip paid her respects to Leung after attending the funeral of at the same venue. At the farewell ceremony, Leung Ling-kit's parents thanked the kind-hearted people of Hong Kong:"Thank you to everyone from all walks of life for mourning our son. Every kind-hearted Hong Konger, including our son, hopes that Hong Kong can become a better place where everyone can live and work in peace and speak freely. Every brave citizen who takes to the streets does so out of love for Hong Kong. Young people should take good care of themselves and live on, so they can continue to speak out against injustice and unfairness in society." — Leung Ling-kit's parentsOn August 11, a Taiwanese civil group and Hongkongers in Taiwan held a human chain event at the in Taipei to support Hong Kong, incorporating the "yellow raincoat man" symbol in memory of Leung Ling-kit.
On December 15, the half-year anniversary of Leung Ling-kit’s death, netizens held a memorial service outside Taikoo Place in the evening. Over a thousand people queued to mourn, bowed their heads in silence, laid flowers, lit candles, and shone their phone lights. The line extended to the pedestrian road outside the Government Headquarters. On the same day, Hongkongers in Japan organized a "Hong Kong Human Rights Act" march in Tokyo. Before the march, they held a moment of silence for Leung Ling-kit. Participants included not only Hongkongers but also Japanese, Taiwanese living in Japan, and Chinese tourists.
On December 17, a civil group in Vancouver, Canada held an event and a memorial for Leung Ling-kit, displaying a yellow raincoat and placing white flower bouquets from volunteers.
2020
On March 7, 2020, the day of Leung Ling-kit’s birthday, netizens organized a memorial event. About 150 people laid flowers, lit candles, chanted slogans, and sang "Glory to Hong Kong" on the pedestrian road outside Taikoo Place. Similar memorial events were held on April 15, the ten-month anniversary of Leung Ling-kit’s death, but due to the social distancing order, participants had to maintain distance, and some were stopped and searched by the police.