The Hong Kong rally is set to take place at the UBC campus in Point Grey on Monday afternoon

The club has faced criticism in recent months for hosting right-wing and anti-LGBTQ+ speakers

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The UBC Free Speech Club, which has found itself mired in controversy in recent months, is coming out in support of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

The club, which has faced criticism for hosting speeches from right-wing and anti-LGBTQ+ speakers, is hosting a campus rally in support of the protesters on Sept. 9.

The movement, underway for over four months, was triggered by an extradition bill that would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China for trial, but the focus has since shifted to alleged excessive use of force by police in the increasingly violent clashes.

Hong Kong’s government agreed last week to withdraw the bill, but demonstrators have raised other demands.

The UBC Free Speech Club says in a release that its members will stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and raise awareness for their movement.

In June, the university hosted a talk from anti-SOGI speaker Jenn Smith, which led to the school’s exclusion from the Vancouver pride parade. Now, the club says it is also expecting blowback for the rally.

“As UBC is a international school, the gathering will likely attract some opposition from students who originate from mainland China. Only a few weeks ago, we saw a divisive gathering at City Hall Station over the same issue,” the release says.

The rally takes place at the UBC campus in Point Grey on Monday afternoon.

With files from the Associated Press.