hong kong macau suspend pro-democracy lawmaker allege disobedience take street instead stay sidewalk protest activists warn suppression civil right grow china-ruled gamble hub suspension lawmaker first since 1999 former portuguese colony return china within one country two systems framework allow free press independent judiciary liberties deny mainland dark day macau say jose coutinho one four legislators vote suspension monday secret ballot draw 28 vote favor sad disillusion outcome numerous illegalities ballot lawmaker 26-year-old sulu sou give opportunity defend coutinho add sou await trial protest 2016 perceive conflict interest transfer 100 million yuan 15 million charitable government-linked macau foundation chinese university whose board chief executive fernando chui sit date set sou trial assembly vote strip duties return find guilty get jail term short 30 days many macau fear decision signal authorities intend follow path similar former british colony hong kong jail several pro-democracy activists include lawmaker nathan law past year may begin death sentence macau rule law end impact casino industry say jorge menezes lawyer live macau since 1997. sou strip right participate debate vote clear violation assembly rule say menezes add violations could apply elsewhere macau include casino industry macau world big gamble hub home u.s. company las vegas sand wynn resort mgm resort well melco resort galaxy entertainment sjm hold casinos reap billions dollars place chinese citizens allow gamble mercy authorities license start expire 2020. sou challenge government several issue since become lawmaker september vow fight stick together goal put us course fight justice grassroots supporter new macau association stand say social media site facebook macau suspend pro-democracy lawmaker critics protest