29/06/2025
寧化飛灰 不作浮塵
—社會民主連線解散聲明
明年5月1日勞動節，是社會民主連線成立20周年紀念日，可惜社民連未能生存到這個日子。今日，我們沉痛宣佈，面對強大的政治壓力，在考慮各方面因素，特別是對會員和同行者的影響，我們決定解散。
社民連成立以來，在沒有普選制，權力天平傾斜於一小撮權貴的政治架構下，我們以「旗幟鮮明的反對派」自居，揭櫫「權力歸於人民」，不單致力爭取一人一票，政治平權的雙普選制度，更服膺公民直接行動信念，透過組織請願、遊行和公投，鼓勵市民積極參與，為自身權益發聲，希望將政治和社會資源分配的權力，重歸於普通市民；
我們立足於「濟弱扶傾、義無反顧」，堅持為弱勢者發聲，對不公不義的社會政策，浪費資源的大白象工程，從來都是不留情面地公開鞭撻；我們秉持「沒有抗爭、哪有改變」的非暴力手段，透過不同方式，由街頭、議會到法庭，三路抗爭推動公民權、普選制，爭取設立各項社會保障政策，例如全民退休保障、最低工資等。可以說，香港過去近20年重大的社會運動和政策倡議，社民連都立足其中，積極參與，從不缺席。
社民連成立19年以來，期間經歷組織內部紛爭，後來又有因公民抗命，領導層幾近全數入獄的危機。而香港也經歷了翻天覆地的改變，公民社會凋零、民間組織紛紛墮落、紅線處處、市民動輒得咎……面對此情此境，社民連仍堅持發聲，無非是想盡一己綿力，無愧當年初心！
艱難前行，到今天已走到盡頭，我們有愧於心，是因為明白在骨牌效應下，社民連不會是最後一個宣佈「自願」解散的組織！前路維艱，社民連作為一個組織，在香港社運史上要鞠躬下台，但是，我們作為社會的一份子，希望以美國文學家傑克．倫敦（Jack London）的詩其中數句，與所有無權無勢者共勉：
「寧化飛灰，不作浮塵。
寧投熊熊烈火，光盡而滅；
不伴寂寂朽木，默然同腐。」
讓我們在香港的各個領域中，不為無力感所挫，不為黑暗所懼，繼續為信念發光！
社會民主連線
2025年6月29日
Rather Be Ashes Than Dust
– League of Social Democrats’ Disbandment Statement
Next year's Labour Day, May 1st, would have marked the 20th anniversary of the League of Social Democrats (L*D). Sadly, L*D will not live to see that day. Today, with deep sorrow, we announce that, in face of immense political pressure and after careful deliberation — particularly with regard to the consequences for our members and comrades — we have made the difficult decision to disband.
Since our founding, L*D has proudly proclaimed itself as a firm and outspoken opposition force under a political system lacking universal suffrage and heavily skewed in favour of a privileged few. We upheld the motto, “power to the people”, not only by fighting for one-person-one-vote as an essential pillar of democracy, but also by widespread civic action, from petitions and marches to referendums, to restore power to the people it rightly belongs to.
Guided by the principle of "Standing Unflinchingly with the Vulnerable," we amplified silenced voices and exposed unjust policies and wasteful white elephant projects. We cried “No struggle, No change”, as we protested by way of non-violence – from the legislature, in the streets, and through the courts – all for the pursuit of advancing civil rights, universal suffrage, and social welfare.
For the past two decades, L*D has played an active role in every major social movement and policy initiative in Hong Kong. We were always there. We never stepped back.
Over these 19 years, we have endured hardships of internal disputes and the near-total imprisonment of our leadership, while witnessing the erosion of civil society, the fading of grassroots voices, the omnipresence of red lines, and the draconian suppression of dissent. Despite such adversities, L*D persisted – doing what little we could – just to remain true to our founding values and beliefs.
Now the road has narrowed beyond passage. We leave with heavy hearts, and with an ache in our conscience, knowing we will not be the last to fall. The terrain ahead is even more treacherous. L*D now closes its chapter in Hong Kong’s history of dissent. Yet, as members of this society, our spirit remains. Even as we step aside, we stand with those still struggling in the shadows.
We close with the words of American writer Jack London:
“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.”
Let us not fear the dark, nor falter in the face of futility. In every shadowed corner of Hong Kong, may we continue to shine with conviction.
League of Social Democrats
June 29, 2025
