#ProtestersVoice #SocialWorker
A letter from Lau Ka-tung - the first social worker imprisoned for performing his duty on protesting scenes

Social worker Lau Ka-tung has been involved in many ways in pro-democracy movements. He missed the opportunity to take part in Legislative Council (LegCo) election this year as he initially planned when he was convicted of obstructing police officer performing from his duty and harshly sentenced for a one-year imprisonment. In prison cell, Ka-tung reminded Hongkongers that belief is invincible. Even when being entrapped within four walls, Ka-tung is determined to stand alongside protesters to defend social justice.

Read Ka-tung’s letter to Hongkongers:
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/22728

#ProtestersVoice
A letter from Lau Ka-tung - the first social worker imprisoned for performing his duty on protesting scenes

This is Ka-tung’s letter to Hongkongers:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/22727

"I am Lau Ka-tung, a dedicated social worker determined to safeguard life.

The rule of law in Hong Kong is dead. The court has become a tool for political score-settling. Hong Kong has fallen that even a social worker, who buffers in conflicts, is sent to prison immediately for one year, denying even his opportunity to appeal on bail.

It was estimated that around 50 social workers have been arrested since the anti-ELAB movement began last year. My case is only the tip of an iceberg and a start. As the first registered social work being convicted in the movement, first and the foremost, my registered qualification of social worker will be defied. I hope that elected members of the Social Workers Registration Board, which comprises 8 elected members and 7 appointed members, will hold on to this last line of defense. If anything has gone wrong in Registration Board election in the future, the whole social welfare sector would fall with no hope of reprieve.

National Security Law will soon be enacted. Facing the tyranny, continue protesting is Hongkongers’ only way out. Participating in an election is also a means of protest but should not be an end in itself. It is a pity that things go athwart as I cannot announce my consideration to enroll in LegCo election on June 17.

Nevertheless, I still hope that everyone will not forget the huge social movement Hong Kong has been going through. What Hong Kong wants is not only 35+ seats in Legislative Council, but 35 determined legislators with strong will to fight on.

Chances for me to take part in LegCo election is slim, but I know several acquaintances of mine in social welfare sector are considering. Although I have utter confidence in social welfare constituency, I still hope for us to always remember Five Demands, and this election should be taken as a pathway leading towards universal suffrage, as we have already paid the dear prices of the whole generation of Hong Kong.

In addition to social workers, first-aiders, doctors, nurses, and priests were also involved in Humanitarian support of the movement. In foreseeable future, the tyranny will continue to crack down those supporting the movement with their profession. At the moment, initiating an appeal is one of the means for Ka-Tung to continue his fight, defending mission and belief of a social worker.

Even though I am in prison, I still hope that Hongkongers will not give up. Anti-ELAB movement has not over yet. LegCo election is one of the protesting fronts in the lengthy pursuit to liberate Hong Kong. I wish to go back to battlefield with you to witness our success.

Fellow social workers, be social workers to the end;
Fellow protesters, protest to the end."

Source: Lau Ka-tung’s Facebook #Jun20
#PoliceState #FailedState #SocialWorker #LauKaTung

Social Worker Lau Ka-Tung granted bail

Social worker Lau Ka-Tung was accused of obstructing the police's advancement during the Yuen long conflict last July and convicted of obstruction of police officer and sentenced to one year in prison. He applied to the Court of First Instance for bail, and was approved by Judge Poon Siu-tung.

In the afternoon, Lau was accompanied by Shiu Ka-chun, a LegCo member from the Social Welfare Functional Constitutancy, and the two of them hugged out of the High Court as he cried.

Answering reporters' questions, Lau said, "This week of imprisonment has been one of injustice. It is our duty, as social workers, to protect justice, life, and humanitarian relief. We can live up to our conscience... No matter how the result of the appeal is, there will be no regret."

Source: Stand News #Jun23
#SocialWorker #Court #PoliceState

Futher Reading: Ka Tung's Letter to HongKongers
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/22728

Never forget: Citizens Marched in Solidarity with Arrestees

2039 | Cheung Sha Wan Road, #LaiChiKok

About a hundred citizens marched towards Lai Chi Kok Reception Center, where many protestors were held in custody and chanted slogans including “Five demands, not one less” and waved flags.

Source: First Hand

#FirstHand #Solidarity #24June
#June24 #Socialworker #Arrestees

#FirstHand
Police Heightens Oversight

2045 | Cheung Sha Wan Road, #LaiChiKok
Around 20 police officers in military gear arrived at Lai Chi Kok, carrying out stop-and frisk at all passersby. 3 black-clad young men were stopped.

#Solidarity #24June #June24 #SocialWorker #Arrestees

#FirstHand
Walk of Shame: Plainclothes Officers Left Behind and Heckled by Bystanders

2100 | Cheung Sha Wan Road, #LaiChiKok

Police began boarding vehicles to leave the scene, but a few plainclothes officers were left behind and had to walk back to the station.

Nearby civilians, such as this lady, took the opportunity to berate them and vent their displeasure against the police:

"You've become so corrupt!"

"You've lost your humanity, you've sinned against the gods and against your morals!"

"They've left you four behind to face us!"

#Solidarity #June24 #socialworker #Arrestees #ACAB

#Court
Police Charge Social worker With with rioting; Precedent Ruling to Define Social Workers, Medics and Legislator's Roles in Demonstrations

Director of the General Union of Social Workers and a member of Battlefield Social Worker, Jackie Chen Hung-sou and 7 others were charged by the police for rioting at a pro-democracy rally on August 31, 2019. The case was taken to the court on September 8, 2020.

The prosecutor claimed in his opening statement that Chen not only "refused to comply with Police's warning" to leave the scene, but also "yelled" at police officers, urged them to calm down and made other "provocative remarks".

It was said that Chen's presence at the scene made it "difficult" for police to disperse protesters. By "obstructing police from carrying out their duties", Chen created time for protesters to leave.

Former legislator of the Social Worker constituency, Shiu Ka-chun wrote on his Facebook on the same day:

"Our co-worker Jackie Chen Hung-sou was charged with rioting, and the 17-day long hearing commenced today, on a day it heavily rained.

Earlier when I was standing in the criminal dock at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts, friends of mine reminded me that I was not a criminal. This dock is not for criminal but defendant.

Today, Jackie was brought to the court for hearing, it was all of us, who are being trialed. The result will define the roles of social workers, medics, and legislators on the scene of a demonstration.

The stakes are high, and worth our attention, even amidst social distancing rule"

Source: Shiu Ka-chun’s Facebook; Stand News #Sept8

#PoliceBrutality #FailedState
#JackieChen #ShiuKaChun #SocialWorker

#PoliticalProsecution
#HumanitarianCrisis
HK Police Targets Good Neighbour North District Church, Demands Full Staff List

On December 7, 2020, the bank accounts of the Good Neighbour North District Church were frozen, one staff and one former executive were arrested.

According to Ka-Tung Lau, a social worker at the Church who has been brought to the police station for investigation, 30 staff members and 400 services for teenagers and homeless people were affected by this police action.

Lau could not comment on the financial status of the Church as he was still seeking legal advice, but he mentioned that the police asked the arrestees to provide a full staff list of the Church.

The staff now were very worried about being arrested, but they were still willing to provide church service as usual even though the Church was unable to pay their salary.

Source: Stand News #Dec11

#LauKaTung #SocialWorker
#GoodNeighbourNorthDistrictChurch #Homeless #HSBC #FrozenAccount #PoliceState

====
Related News:

#PoliticalRetaliation #BankSystem
#HSBC Freezes Assets of the Good Neighbour North District Church

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/27161

HK Police Freeze Charity Church's Account, Arrest at Least 2 Members, Take Away a Social Work and Raid 3 Homeless Hostels

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/27184

#Court rejects police testimony and clears social worker's charges

The West Kowloon mangistrate on December 16, 2020 acquitted a social worker of obstructing police during anti-ELAB protest in 2019. The police officer testified in court was deemed an unreliable witness.

Hui Lai-ming, the director of the Social Workers' General Union, spoke outside the court after the hearing, "...when I heard the result, my tears dropped. Maybe they are happy tears."

Hui was initially charged with assaulting police, but this was changed to the obstruction charge by prosecutors, just before the start of her trial last week.

Source: Apple Daily #Dec16
https://bit.ly/2KrLKkw

#SocialWorker #HuiLaiMing

#PoliceState #AsiasFinest
HK Police Impersonate Social Workers when Visiting Imprisoned Protesters, Former Legislator Says

Former legislator Shiu Ka-chun told reporters that Pun Ho-Chiu, an imprisoned protester, had prison visits from two men who initially claimed themselves “social workers”. When Poon later asked them to clarify their identities, the visitors admitted that they came from the Police Force .

Shiu Ka-chun pointed out that it is illegal for non-registered social workers to use the official title “social worker”. He urged both the Correctional Services and the Police Force to provide an explanation.

Pun Ho-Chiu, 31, nicknamed “The Painter,” took part in a demonstration outside the Wan Chai police headquarters last June, one of dozens of mass protests against the planned extradition bill. In late November, Poon was convicted of property damage and unauthorised assembly, and sentenced to 21 months in jail.

Source: Stand News #Dec11

https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/邵家臻-兩警務處人員探訪在囚-畫家-卻自稱社工-質疑違法促懲教署澄清/

#BottleShiu #Painter #SocialWorker #CorrectionalServices

#Solidarity #HongKongProtest
Hong Kong Former Lawmaker Runs “Wall-fare” Office Next to Detention Center to Supporting Protesters and Families

After his resignation as the representative of the social welfare sector in the city's legislature, Bottle Shiu Ka-Chun focuses on improving prisoners’ rights and rented an office for a newly established organisation, “Wall-fare”, in a commercial building next to the Lai Chi Kok Reception Center.

On top of supporting people in jail, he also supports pro-democracy protestors and their families. His long-term goal is to develop a resources center for prisoners.

Shiu picked the location as he hopes families of protestors can make contact quickly and directly. He has disclosed to the landlord that this office's functions are to provide services for neighbourhood, offer emotional support, serve as a venue for client meetings and group discussions.

“Wall-fare” has two part-time staff sorting and handing letters from the event called “Writing with You”. Almost a year since 24 Jan 2020, they handled more than 6,000 letters received via the “Writing with You” initiative. Shiu fully understands how essential letters are to people in jail. “As prisoners, they can only wait for letters anxiously,” he said.

Source: InMedia #Dec26
https://bit.ly/38EovMs

#Wallfare #BottleShiu #SocialWorker #InmatesRights

#MassArrest #106Crackdown
#ManchesterUnited Fan And Social Worker Arrested Among the 53 Pro-Democracy Activists

Jeffrey Andrews, a social worker of Indian descent, was one of the 53 pro-democracy activists who were arrested last week for violating the National Security Law and allegedly “inciting to subvert state power.”

Andrews is a long time Manchester United fan who grew up in Hong Kong. He was named one of the seven “United Heroes” by Manchester United in recognition of his contribution to the refugee welfare in Hong Kong.

He was arrested for robbery when he was young and was helped by a social worker, where he later decided that he also want to pursue the same career path in helping minority groups in Hong Kong.

Andrews has been working with ethnic minorities including refugees at the refugee centre at Chungking Mansions. He was also elected as one of Hong Kong’s Outstanding Persons in 2019.

Andrews decided to run in the Legislative Council primaries last year but received the lowest number of votes in the Kowloon West District.

Source: Apple Daily #Jan6
#NationalSecurityLaw #SocialWorker #JeffreyAndrews #ChungKingMansions

#Interview #HongKongersVoice
Transcending Fear: Hong Kong Social Worker Vows for the Quest for Freedom, Out of His Love for Hong Kong

Reflecting on the year-long anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong in 2019, social worker Hendick Lui Chi-Hang said, “I have been increasingly involved and more and more forth coming in each protest. For many times, I told myself that this time is going to be the last time and I have to overcome my limit.”

Despite that, there has been “next time”. Lui said, “Probably, it is out of my love to this land.”

It could also be rage. Lui elaborated, “You might also see it as ‘I can’t stand it’. There are some small things that we could do, though these things might not be useful, we should continue doing it.”

What if one day he was arrested and being sent to China for trial?

It seems that Lui was sharing his thoughts to the reporter, but also talking in melancholy, “it doesn’t matter. I believe as long as there are Hongkongers, there will be a pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, fighting for freedom.”

Source: InMedia, #Jan22
https://bit.ly/3p87xgt

#LuiChiHang #SocialWorker #HKProtest #NeverGiveUp