Speaking at a public forum in Mong Kok, the group of graduates and students from the Polytechnic University, University of Hong Kong and Chinese University claimed the government's confidential joint venture agreement with Disney gave the American company leeway to keep court disputes secret, be exempt from off-site environmental pollution and prohibit ambulance drivers from entering the park ``except in extreme situations.''

A Disney public relations manager denied the allegations.

``We are obliged to follow all Hong Kong laws and regulations,'' said Disney public relations manager Esther Wong.

The student group, Disney Hunter, handed out flyers that criticized Disney for promoting Western cultural values and seeking special privileges.

It blamed Disney for environmental damage near the theme park and said the government did not hold the company to task because an ``extraterritorial agreement'' exempted Disney from meeting SAR standards.

Mirana Szeto, an associate professor in comparative literature at HKU, told The Standard the anti-Disney group staged the forum to take both Disney and the government to task.

Disney Hunter's allegations include an agreement to try labor disputes and hold court cases against Disney outside Hong Kong's jurisdiction; the use of improperly treated sand for land reclamation in Penny's Bay; and privileges for parades and flight restrictions to which other companies do not have access.

``We are not allowed to read the exact terms on these issues, but it is the same in other Disneys,'' Szeto said.

She cited a book, Once Upon An American Dream: The Story of Euro Disney, by Andrew Lainsbury, which revealed that Disney could seek adjudication outside of French courts.

Former legislator Cyd Ho said lawmakers had been petitioning the government since 1999 to reveal the terms of the agreement. ``We asked for the agreement to be released, but the government has released nothing,'' Ho said.

Students also allege that Disney will prevent ambulance drivers from entering the theme park in case of emergency to avoid frightening visitors.

Both Disney and the Fire Services Department have denied the claim, initially raised by the president of the Ambulancemen's Union, Wat Ki-on.

Sunday's demonstration, held outside a Giordano store selling Disney T-shirts, attracted hundreds of people passing through the shopping district on Sai Yeung Choi South Street.

One of them, 21-year-old journalism student Angelina So, was taken aback, saying

she thought Hong Kong people would have embraced Disney's arrival.

``It's surprising to me. We have this Western culture - and Hong Kong people against Disney?,'' she asked. ``The government and television stations promote Disney, so I'm surprised the students are against it.''

Judging by the looks of several passers-by, many may have felt the same thing, too.

douglas.crets@singtaonewscorp.com