#FirstHand #May18 #SingWithU
Citizens Participate in “Sing With You” in IFC Mall

1833 | IFC, #Central
Today there is a “Sing With You” event at IFC mall. About 30 citizens joined the event after work, with more and more expected to come. So far riot police have yet to enter the mall, remaining stationed outside the building. The participating citizens were chanting slogans such as “5 Demands, Not 1 Less” as well as “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time”. Some participants were suggesting a new slogan “March on 5.24, Oppose the evil bill on 5.27”.

#FirstHand #May18 #SingWithU

1833 | IFC, #Central
People start to stream in to join tonight's "Sing with You" activity. Many of them are standing at the balconies of the atrium, while some of them are at the atrium itself. Protest slogans can be heard reverberating through the mall as more and more people start to join in.

#FirstHand #May18 #SingWithYou

1854 | IFC, #Central
More people gathered on 2/F. Some citiznes sang "Glory to Hong Kong" and yelled "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our time" in IFC.

#HKProtest

#LegCo #Melee
Pro-democracy Lawmakers Assaulted by Beijing loyalists and LegCo's Security Guards

Image

The Legislative Council's (LegCo) controversial House Committee meeting on May 18 turned into an assault of the pro-democracy lawmakers.

Since Beijing had openly condemned the pro-democracy camp for filibustering, the Beijing loyalists became nit just verbally but physically aggressive towards the opposition camp to "speed up" the meeting procedure.

In the latest meeting on May 18,
pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui was pushed and pinned to the floor by three members of the security staff. Beijing loyalist Chung-hung Luk shoved pro-democracy lawmaker Jeremy Tam and snatched the black cloth the democratic front used as a protest prop.

Chan Kin-por, the committee moderator endorsed by the pro-Beijing camp, repeatedly accused the opposition lawmakers of "violating the law" and warned that they can be sentenced to 12 months in jail for "clashing with the security guards".

Meanwhile, Chan ordered the security guards to remove Tanya Chan, Ted Hui, Chu Hoi-dick, Roy Kwong, Wan Siu-kin from the chamber. The security guards treated pro-democracy lawmakers violently: Chu, Hui and Lam Cheuk-ting were elbowed; Chu and Hui were each carried away by at least 5 guards and Chu's arms were even bent in the process.

After forcefully expelling the democratic front, Beijing loyalist Chan Kin-por immediately initiated the election process of the committee's chairperson and Beijing loyalist Starry Lee of DAB "won" with 40: 0.

Ted Hui later revealed on Facebook that his chest wall was injured according to a check up at Canossa Hospital. Hui pointed out that many former policemen worked as security guards in the LegCo and that the security team has used "excessive" and "police-style force" to subdue pro-democracy lawmakers.

Source: InMedia; RTHK #May18

#Court #MassArrest
"Political Prosecution", "Five demands, not one less": 15 Pro-democracy Figures Arrested and Charged

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Police arrested 15 pro-democracy figures in high profile on April 18, 2020. The list included heavyweight Martin Lee and Margaret Ng who are both veteran democrats and barristers. Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, was also on the list.

The 15 were mentioned in court on May 18. They were accused of organising and taking part in illegal assemblies on August 18, August 31, October 1 and October 20, 2019.

When asked in the court, Raphael Wong of the League of Social Democrats (LSD) answered by pointing out the charges as a "political prosecution", while Figo Chan of Civil Human Rights Front replied the court with "Five demands, not one less".

Avery Ng of the League of Social Democrats (LSD) said outside the court, "Compared with many youth and the charges they are facing, ours are miniscule."

The court will resume on June 15 and the trial is expected to take place at the District Court.
The 15 pro-demoncracy figures are:

- Martin Lee
- Margaret Ng
- Jimmy Lai
- 'Long hair' Leung Kwok-hung
- Au Nok-hin
- Figo Chan,
- Raphael Wong
- Avery Ng
- Richard Tsoi
- Leung Yiu-chung
- Cyd Ho
- Albert Ho
- Yeung Sum
- Sin Chung-kai
- Lee Cheuk-yan

Source: InMedia; RTHK #May18
#MartinLee #MargaretNg #AveryNg #RaphaelWong #FigoChan #LongHair #PoliticalProsecution

DC member Chiang Man-ching condemns EDB’s political interference in HKDSE

Secretary for Education Yeung Yun-hung criticised the HKDSE history exam question about the second Sino-Japanese war for being hurtful to Chinese people and misleading earlier. He asked the HKEAA to cancel the question. Northern District DC member and Chinese tutor Chiang Man-ching knelt outside of HKEAA today, he had also been collecting signatures to stop the HKEAA from cancelling the question and condemn the EBD for interfering. Chiang pointed out that candidates this year already experienced the anti-ELAB movement and COVID-19, and they had to deal with EDB’s political interference after the exam. He described the EDA as “fell into enemy hands”, and the HKEAA was the “last line of defence”. He urged the HKEAA Secretary General So Kwok-sang to stand strong.

So was not present, and the petition letter was received by a representative of the HKEAA.

Source: Inmedia HK #May18
#HKDSE #Education #CulturalRevolution #WhiteTerror #EDB

#Court
15 More Charged with Rioting during #PolyU Siege

15 more citizens, including YouTuber Auman, were charged of riot and possession of arms or ammunition during the PolyU siege in November 2019. The case was heard in Eastern Magistrates' Courts on May 18.

Outside the court, the counsel who represented three of the defendants revealed that the police ordered the arrested to kneel in an outdoor carpark overnight. They suffered for 4 hours without food and water, time to use the bathroom and meeting their lawyers. If they talk, they will be insulted by the police using foul language. This process only ended because someone fainted.

Another counsel tried to file a complaint in court that the police used disproportionate violence against the defendant when subduing him. Yet, the magistrate stopped him and asked him to file it in the next hearing.

Since the prosecutor needed time to prepare documents, the hearing was adjourned to 20 Aug in West Kowloon Magistrates Courts.

Source: InMedia #May18

#Scandal #AsiasFinest
HK Police: Director of National Security Police did nothing 'unethical or illegal' in Prostitution Site

On May 18, 2021, the Hong Kong Police announced that the director of the force's #NationalSecurityDepartment, #FrederickChoi, had not been engaged in any unethical or illegal behaviour.

In March 2021, Choi was found at an unlicensed massage parlour in Wan Chai during a police raid. Though the parlour was a confirmed venue for prostitution and six women were arrested, the police claimed that the senior officer Choi did not committ "any immoral or unlawful behaviour.“

The police stressed that their investigation was undertaken from "all directions and multiple angles". The police claimed that visiting unlicensed masage parlour did not breach the law, so Choi was not arrested.

Source: Stand News #May18
#DoubleStandard #PoliceState

European Parliament to vote on freezing China investment deal

The European Parliament is expected to pass a motion on Thursday pushing to formally freeze the EU’s investment agreement with China, in the wake of what MEPs describe as Beijing’s “baseless and arbitrary” sanctions on EU lawmakers earlier this year.

The draft motion, seen by POLITICO, will also call on the EU to step up coordination with the US to deal with China, while stressing that any trade deals with Taiwan “should not be held hostage” by the deal with Beijing.

Source: Politico #May18

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3133983/european-parliament-vote-freezing-china-investment-deal

#European #China #EU #Freezing #Investment

#Court
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"

Part 1 / 3

Source: InMedia #May18

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

#Court
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"

Part 1 / 3

[Editor's note:

The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.

On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]

"That year, the feeling of hopelessness led to a wave of student suicides. One youth after another became overwhelmed by the feeling of darkness as they could not see their future, and ended their brief lives.

One of my best friends was among them; he departed suddenly, without leaving a word behind. After that, I spent countless days and nights curled up on my bed, watching countless sunrises and sunsets outside my window, berating myself for being unable to prevent the tragedy from happening.

It was then that I began to doubt the phrase 'determining my own destiny'. No matter how my self-determined spirit struggles, it could not slow down the fall and corruption of this land by even a little bit.

So I began to think that, in this cruel society, self-determination was probably only an absurd joke.

I was caught up in all these depressing emotions when I came to find Buddhism. I reached a relevation one day, and understood that all things came from dependent arising, and are emptiness by nature; whether times are good or bad, nothing is permanent, and nothing lasts forever.

From this, I learned to put aside my own preconceptions, and let go of my own honor and disgrace. I no longer worry whether every effort I paid would be rewarded. I only concern myself with whether what I think and do are improving myself, those around me, and the world I live in. The past cannot be changed; the present is bound by the past; but the future is determined by our choices today.

Even though much of the world is beyond our control, even beyond our knowledge, we can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment. Perhaps this is what 'determining my own destiny' really meant. This is how, through faith, I found the strength to carry on living, and the courage to meet my own future destiny."

Continue Reading Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29805

Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0

#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "I see hope...many people are still striving for Hong Kong"

Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0

Read Part 2
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29805

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "I see hope...many people are still striving for Hong Kong"

Part 2 / 3

[Editor's note:

The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.

On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]

Previously, Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Continue with Part 2:

"...As stated in my case, I was arrested during a protest on Oct 20, 2019, which was 576 days ago.

During this period of time, nearly ten thousand citizens had come under arrest due to the movement or other political reasons. More and more people are forced to leave Hong Kong, with no chance in sight for their return.

This development is surely the opposite of the outcome that many had hoped for: 'determining our own destiny', or democratic self-governance.

After my arrest, a police officer asked me mockingly: What did I feel I've achieved by taking to the streets?

Thinking back now, over these 576 days, it certainly seemed like I've achieved nothing, except losing more and more fellow students and friends. Undoubtedly, this caused me more pain than the court case now being brought against me.

However, different from the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in the years past, today I do not feel hopeless at all, and have not given up on my belief in 'determining our own destiny'.

These 576 days had been long and full of changes. There had been trauma and pain, but at the same time, I see hope. Because I know that, outside of the courts and prisons, out of sight of others, many people are still striving quietly for Hong Kong, taking up the fight in place those who have fallen.

Local business owners absorb losses to make their Hong Kong brands shine; artists and creative minds are working day and night to reclaim the city's coveted reputation of 'number one in Asia'.

These Hongkongers are full of life and dreams, and I can feel the immeasurable bravery and wisdom in them. Before such great people, I feel humble, and have no more excuses to wallow in self-pity.

They make me firmly believe that this city is not fated to spiral downward forever; this city will create infinite possibilities for the future."

Read Part 3 here:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29816

Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0

#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB

#GlobalSupport
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong

Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29813

#GlobalSupport
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong

Hong Kong Watch, a British non-government organization focusing on Hong Kong issues, released a statement on May 18, 2021, calling on the United Nations (UN) to form a special envoy to Hong Kong, in order to monitor the deteriorating human rights situation, as well as to coordinate an international response.

Lord Patten of Barnes, the last Governor of Hong Kong, adds:

“The establishment of an international contact group to coordinate a global response would be a positive way forward. Moreover, the creation of a UN special envoy for Hong Kong would contribute both to monitoring human rights and encouraging dialogue and reconciliation. Many UN member states would see it as a constructive proposal worthy of support.”

Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News

https://www.facebook.com/HongKongWatchOrg/posts/3881971295256648

#ChrisPatten #LastGovernor #SpecialEnvoy

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "No matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny"

Previously, Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29805

Source: InMedia #May18

Continue Reading Part 3:
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29816

#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "No matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny"

[Editor's note:

The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.

On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]

Previously, Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29797

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29805

Part 3:

"...Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus used to say, 'Each generation doubtless feels called upon to reform the world. Mine knows that it will not reform it, but its task is perhaps even greater. It consists in preventing the world from destroying itself.'

Due to historical reasons, our generation has no choice but to be born into a Hong Kong where political rights and the room for free speech are dwindling day by day.

Two summers ago, we chose to fight back against the fate that was forced upon us, demonstrating to the world our determination to take hold of our own destiny. Now is the time that we take up the responsibility for our choice.

The world is changing, perhaps for better, or perhaps it is crumbling. But no matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny:

we all hold fast to our own duties in our own ways, striving to create a new, beautiful era that we can truly call our own."

Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0

#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB