A letter to the pro-democracy councilors from protesters in detention:
We are a group of detainees at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, who have fought for liberty and freedom in Hong Kong. We are now imprisoned, have lost our freedom, are separated from our loved ones and are sacrificing our youth and future. Our young comrades in Pik Uk Prison are facing far greater torment than we are. There are also more than 6,000 other arrested protesters.
Alhough we can no longer contribute at the frontlines to Hong Kong's road to democracy, we executed what little power we had left in the last District Council election: our votes. When we knew of the landslide victory for pro-democracy candidates winning 85% of the seats, we were in a wave of euphoria. We hope the elected pro-democracy candidates will take opportunity of this bitter sweet victory to help the 6000-plus arrested protestors, who are paying a costly price for Hong Kong.
We ask all elected pro-democracy candidates to pressure the government for a response to our demands, including engaging in dialogue with the government for leniency on arrested protesters; organizing mass protests and assemblies to express solidarity with the arrested comrades; holding press conferences; and all efforts that can help and free our comrades.
We hear about the demands for amnesty for some of us. However we hope to stick together. The government should be pressed to reduce sentences so that our comrades can regain freedom sooner, thus go back to their loved ones, work and studies. We will then keep a low profile and prepare ourselves for the future.
We understand Hong Kong is still a long way from having true democracy. We ask all elected pro-democracy candidates not to let down the people of Hong Kong, or to rest on your laurels. Remeber "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times" is not an empty slogan. It represents the struggles we have gone through – we give our best, put behind what we have and forward we march. The road to democracy is built with our blood and sweat. There is a saying: “what millions died—that Caesar might be great!” Not a single one of our comrades should be expendable.
In solidarity with detainees at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.
Source: Facebook page of Shiu Ka-chun (social worker and activist)
20 December 2019
https://www.facebook.com/bottleshiukachun/photos/a.200856493433676/1246084135577568/?type=1&theater
#DistrictCouncilor #Arrestee #ProtestorLetters
We are a group of detainees at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, who have fought for liberty and freedom in Hong Kong. We are now imprisoned, have lost our freedom, are separated from our loved ones and are sacrificing our youth and future. Our young comrades in Pik Uk Prison are facing far greater torment than we are. There are also more than 6,000 other arrested protesters.
Alhough we can no longer contribute at the frontlines to Hong Kong's road to democracy, we executed what little power we had left in the last District Council election: our votes. When we knew of the landslide victory for pro-democracy candidates winning 85% of the seats, we were in a wave of euphoria. We hope the elected pro-democracy candidates will take opportunity of this bitter sweet victory to help the 6000-plus arrested protestors, who are paying a costly price for Hong Kong.
We ask all elected pro-democracy candidates to pressure the government for a response to our demands, including engaging in dialogue with the government for leniency on arrested protesters; organizing mass protests and assemblies to express solidarity with the arrested comrades; holding press conferences; and all efforts that can help and free our comrades.
We hear about the demands for amnesty for some of us. However we hope to stick together. The government should be pressed to reduce sentences so that our comrades can regain freedom sooner, thus go back to their loved ones, work and studies. We will then keep a low profile and prepare ourselves for the future.
We understand Hong Kong is still a long way from having true democracy. We ask all elected pro-democracy candidates not to let down the people of Hong Kong, or to rest on your laurels. Remeber "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times" is not an empty slogan. It represents the struggles we have gone through – we give our best, put behind what we have and forward we march. The road to democracy is built with our blood and sweat. There is a saying: “what millions died—that Caesar might be great!” Not a single one of our comrades should be expendable.
In solidarity with detainees at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.
Source: Facebook page of Shiu Ka-chun (social worker and activist)
20 December 2019
https://www.facebook.com/bottleshiukachun/photos/a.200856493433676/1246084135577568/?type=1&theater
#DistrictCouncilor #Arrestee #ProtestorLetters
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#ProtestorStory
“Awakening”
The following is an account of a university student in Hong Kong:
" I am a CUHK student and arrestee for the charge of rioting.
I felt sad to watch the judgement of the court to Edward Leung Tin-kei and 811 on the charge of riot a few days ago because I can sense that the day I'll be locked up is getting and I will probably spend 6 to 7 years in prison. A new idea was in my mind. Do Hongkongers need another awakening?
When you choose to rebel and fight against tyranny, it is not only the choice of politics but also consciousness. You need to abandon normal life. It’s so-called “yellow ribbon”. Even you may be a peaceful protestor or investor, you have to get ready and get used to being in and out of prison for the rest of your life.
Why? It is because totalitarianism can’t tolerate any other opinion. Suppression will be more severe, and the bottom line will be lowered further. Common sense won’t exist anymore. Hong Kong Indigenous members were called “separatists” a few years ago. All pro-democracy parties are called “separatist” now. A few years later, supporting “one country two systems” maybe a separatist action.
You can be arrested if you fight with words (attacking TVB), fight with capital (money laundering) or fight with posters (property damage). Don’t think that you are safe if you don’t come out to march. After article 23 is passed, you can be arrested by just sharing news on Instagram. In China, you may be detained in charge of treason for prison punishment 8-10 year if you get any complaints or you if are Christian.
In a society without freedom, if you choose to fight against totalitarianism, life planning, family life, and a simple and peaceful life are not for you anymore. Your daily life will be paying fines, getting beaten, locked up in prison, being threatened, kidnapped, getting house arrest and being unpersoned. Li Wangyang, Liu Xiaobo and Chen Guangcheng's lives will be yours.
Thus, don’t feel sorry that our comrades are in prison. Getting locked up is unavoidable in the process of fighting against tyranny. We will continue after getting out. Where can you find a revolution without any sacrifice?
We enjoy our rights, freedoms and fairness in court now like we took it for granted. However, behind the pearl of the orient is the sacrifice of many nameless heroes.
British feminists were arrested and sent to jail in 1910. The leader of the worker union in US fighting for an 8-hour workday was convicted to the death penalty in 1886. 500 thousand soldiers died in the civil war so that the black man may be free. “Winter on fire” was a good show right? 125 people died in Ukraine in 93 days. In the history of humankind, the improvement of the system meant the sacrifice of countless revolutionaries.
Are the Hongkongers awakened? To abandon your life in an "advanced society" built on lies? To abandon your normal life because of your conscience? Let's make it simple, Did the Hongkongers wake up, and are they ready to give it all?"
Source: CUHK Secrets #May12
https://bit.ly/2XcRykH
#CUHKSecret #NeverForget #NeverForgive #WinterOnFire #Arrestee #EdwardLeung
“Awakening”
The following is an account of a university student in Hong Kong:
" I am a CUHK student and arrestee for the charge of rioting.
I felt sad to watch the judgement of the court to Edward Leung Tin-kei and 811 on the charge of riot a few days ago because I can sense that the day I'll be locked up is getting and I will probably spend 6 to 7 years in prison. A new idea was in my mind. Do Hongkongers need another awakening?
When you choose to rebel and fight against tyranny, it is not only the choice of politics but also consciousness. You need to abandon normal life. It’s so-called “yellow ribbon”. Even you may be a peaceful protestor or investor, you have to get ready and get used to being in and out of prison for the rest of your life.
Why? It is because totalitarianism can’t tolerate any other opinion. Suppression will be more severe, and the bottom line will be lowered further. Common sense won’t exist anymore. Hong Kong Indigenous members were called “separatists” a few years ago. All pro-democracy parties are called “separatist” now. A few years later, supporting “one country two systems” maybe a separatist action.
You can be arrested if you fight with words (attacking TVB), fight with capital (money laundering) or fight with posters (property damage). Don’t think that you are safe if you don’t come out to march. After article 23 is passed, you can be arrested by just sharing news on Instagram. In China, you may be detained in charge of treason for prison punishment 8-10 year if you get any complaints or you if are Christian.
In a society without freedom, if you choose to fight against totalitarianism, life planning, family life, and a simple and peaceful life are not for you anymore. Your daily life will be paying fines, getting beaten, locked up in prison, being threatened, kidnapped, getting house arrest and being unpersoned. Li Wangyang, Liu Xiaobo and Chen Guangcheng's lives will be yours.
Thus, don’t feel sorry that our comrades are in prison. Getting locked up is unavoidable in the process of fighting against tyranny. We will continue after getting out. Where can you find a revolution without any sacrifice?
We enjoy our rights, freedoms and fairness in court now like we took it for granted. However, behind the pearl of the orient is the sacrifice of many nameless heroes.
British feminists were arrested and sent to jail in 1910. The leader of the worker union in US fighting for an 8-hour workday was convicted to the death penalty in 1886. 500 thousand soldiers died in the civil war so that the black man may be free. “Winter on fire” was a good show right? 125 people died in Ukraine in 93 days. In the history of humankind, the improvement of the system meant the sacrifice of countless revolutionaries.
Are the Hongkongers awakened? To abandon your life in an "advanced society" built on lies? To abandon your normal life because of your conscience? Let's make it simple, Did the Hongkongers wake up, and are they ready to give it all?"
Source: CUHK Secrets #May12
https://bit.ly/2XcRykH
#CUHKSecret #NeverForget #NeverForgive #WinterOnFire #Arrestee #EdwardLeung
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CUHK Secrets
#CU1738 「覺悟」 大家好，我係中大嘅被捕同學，被告暴動。 前幾日睇梁天琦同811轉暴動嘅判決，覺得有啲sad，因為聞到自己離入冊越嚟越近嘅味道，未來可能真係有六七年要喺監獄度過。Sad 下sad下有一種新諗法。其實香港人係咪要有一種覺悟？...
#Award
#AppleDaily Founder #JimmyLai awarded 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award
The Committee to Protect Journalists (#CPJ) awarded Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is currently in jail, the 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award on November 19, 2021 for his extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.
Complimenting Lai's achievement, CPJ said, "Lai has become a powerful symbol of the struggle to maintain press freedom in Hong Kong as China’s Communist Party exerts ever greater control over the territory."
The Committee further stated that "In prison, denied bail, the outspoken critic of the Chinese government and advocate for democracy faces charges that could keep him in jail for the rest of his life."
Source: Stand News; #Nov18
https://bit.ly/3nXrw3D
#Recognition #PressFreedom #Arrestee #Dissident #GwenIfill
#AppleDaily Founder #JimmyLai awarded 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award
The Committee to Protect Journalists (#CPJ) awarded Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is currently in jail, the 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award on November 19, 2021 for his extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.
Complimenting Lai's achievement, CPJ said, "Lai has become a powerful symbol of the struggle to maintain press freedom in Hong Kong as China’s Communist Party exerts ever greater control over the territory."
The Committee further stated that "In prison, denied bail, the outspoken critic of the Chinese government and advocate for democracy faces charges that could keep him in jail for the rest of his life."
Source: Stand News; #Nov18
https://bit.ly/3nXrw3D
#Recognition #PressFreedom #Arrestee #Dissident #GwenIfill