#FirstHand #Feb19
HK Authorities Prosecute 12 People for Riotting in #PolyUSiege; Police Ticket and Arrest Pro-democracy Supporters

On Feb 19, 2021, the Hong Kong police arrested 12 people at midnight. The police accused them of "rioting" for their reported presence in the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (#PolyU) during the police siege of the university in November 2019.

More than one year after, the 12 Hongkongers were the first ones to be prosecuted among the 200 arrests made in PolyU. They were mentioned in the Kowloon City Magistrates on the late afternoon of the same day. The court refused to grant bail for 11 of them, apart from one being a voluntary first aider. The group will be detained until the next hearing in March 2021.

At round 21:30, 22 citizens (7 men and 15 women) in support of the pro-democracy movement showed support for the arrestees outside of the court. The police ticketed and fined all of them for the violatiok of the 599G gathering ban. Among the supporters, the police arrested a man in his twenties, for finding an 'Octopus' travel card with a name different than his.

See photos:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28679

The young man was taken away in the police car with the license number AM7057.

#PoliceState #Court #MassArrest #FirstAider #Rioting #599G #OctopusCard

#FirstHand #Feb28
Hong Kong Police charge 47 Pro-democracy Figures for "Subverting State Powers"; Lester Shum: Hongkongers Will Not Surrender to the Authoritarian Regime

See photos:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28801

The photos captured moments before Hong Kong pro-democracy activist #LesterShum arrived at the Police Station on Feb 28, 2021. Shum had been become known as a student activist during the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong. Currently, he is a district councillor of the Tsuen Wan District in Hong Kong and is likely to lose his seat while facing political persecution and oppression.

The 27-year-old Shum went hand in hand with his newly-wedded wife to the police station. He talked to the media calmly before heading in to face the unknown.

Shum said in 2019 he had made his decision to fight on, regardless of what might happen. He hoped like himself, Hongkongers would not surrender to the authoritarian regime.

See video:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28805

Shum was among those 55 pro-democracy figures arrested by the police on Jan 5, 2021 for their involvement in the pro-democracy camp's primary elections in July 2020.

2 days ago, on Feb 26, they had been ordered by the police to report to the police station on Sunday, Feb 28 ahead of the scheduled date in April. Many suspected that detention and charges would be made.

The Hong Kong Police announced on Jan 28, 2021 that 47 people are charged with "conspiracy to subvert state powers" under the #NationalSecurityLaw.

The large group of pro-democracy politicians and activists include district councilor Lester Shum (see photos); 'Long Hair' Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham of Social Democrats; activist Ventus Lau; former law professor Benny Tai.

The police said they would detain them overnight and the case will be mentioned in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court the next day on March 1, 2021.

#MassArrest #Regime #Authoritarianism #PoliceState #PoliticalPersecution

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Read more:

Pro-Democracy Activists in Hong Kong Face #PoliticalPersecution

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28795

#PoliceState #Authoritarianism
Hong Kong mass arrest: Proud to sacrifice my future for Hong Kong, said Activist Ventus Lau

On Feb 28, 2021, Hong Konh pro-democracy activist #VentusLau reported to the police station in the afternoon, and spoke to reporters before entering the station.

Lau said that on this day 5 years ago, localist and pro-democracy activist #EdwardLeung Tin-kei received 66,000 votes during the 2016 New Territories East Legislative Council by-election, establishing a place for localists in the city's political spectrum.

During an interview, Leung, now in prison, said that the reason he did not leave Hong Kong was to show Hongkongers that someone is still willing to sacrifice his future for Hong Kong. Lau felt honoured that he could become that “someone” as well.

Lau criticised the Hong Kong SAR government’s arrest of the dozens of activists, calling it naive to assume that this would bring an end to the democracy movement in Hong Kong. He believed Hongkongers will prove the government wrong. He urged Hongkongers to keep the faith, and turn their anger into their strength, so that he could witness the day when everyone could finally meet each other outside of Legco - alluding to the pledge of protesters to finally meet again in victory one day.

Before heading into the police station, Lau said, “Don’t forget to include me in the crowd count in the next rally or assembly”.

District Councillor #FergusLeung, who also reported to the police station on the same day, expected that he would very likely be accused and no bail would be granted, and he felt sad to leave behind everyone and everything around him. However, he still hoped Hongkongers would understand that today is not the end of Hong Kong’s democracy movement. Whether it ends now or not is all up to Hongkongers. He did not regret his decision, and said that Hong Kong's democracy movement is a long battle, ad hope Hongkongers can stand firm in these difficult times.

Source: In Media #Feb28
https://bit.ly/3dTMGLi

#HongkongersVoices #MassArrest #AuthoritarianRegime #PoliticalOppression #PrimaryElection

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Hong Kong Pro-democracy Activist #LesterShum: We've Decided to Not Surrender to the Authoritarian Regime and We'll Continue with this Road

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28804

#PoliticalPersecution #Humanity
Arrested Pro-Democracy Figures tell Hongkongers: "Hang in there", "Be a Human, be yourself"

Source: InMedia #Feb28

Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28825

#PoliticalOppression #MassArrest
Arrested Pro-Democracy Figures tell Hongkongers: "Hang in there", "Be a Human, be yourself"

On Sunday, Feb 28, 2021, in Hong Kong, Tsuen Wan district councillor #RoyTam Hoi-pong of Neo-democrat and former lawmaker #WanSiuKin of Democractic Party reported to the Tsuen Wan Police Station in the afternoon, as instructed by the Hong Kong Police 2 days ago.

They are among the 55 pro-democracy activists who were arrested on Jan 5, 2021 on suspicion of "subverting state powers" and violating the #NationalSecurityLaw.

As the group was ordered to report to the police over 1 month ahead of the scheduled date, many had prepared for the worst. It was proven to be the case, as on the afternoon of Feb 28, the Hong Kong police announced charging 47 pro-democracy figures with "conspiracy to subverting state powers", and that they would be detained overnight before sending them to court the next day.

Before walking into the Tsuen Wan Police Station to face whatever plans the authorities have for them, Roy Tam, who came hand in hand with his wife, hugged his friends and families. He told the media that he would "face it with a calm spirit". Tam raised his fists high and said, "Hongkongers, hang in there!"

Wan Siu-kin arrived moments later. He said he was not surprised, as arbitrary arrests are nothing new in Hong Kong. A former lawmaker himself, he firmly believed that he did not violate the #NationalSecurityLaw, nor the Hong Kong's Basic Law. He told his friends that he is not afraid and will embrace the challenges. He hopes all the pro-democracy figures arrested would show the same fighting spirit.

Wan added, "To be frank, I don't know what to tell you, if you ask me for methods to resist against the authoritarian regime. But there is one thing you can do: Be a human-being, be yourself."

When asked to comment on Beijing's reported plan to amend Hong Kong's electoral system, Wan said, "I cannot comprehend the logic of the authoritarian regime, and do not want to."

Wan emphasized that the crux of the problem is the erosion of the social, economic, and political structure of the city. He concluded that the "#OneCountryTwoSystems" policy should be genuinely practiced, but "not by way of any twisted interpretation".

Source: InMedia #Feb28

#PoliceState #Authoritarianism

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Hong Kong Pro-democracy Activist #LesterShum: We've Decided to Not Surrender to the Authoritarian Regime and We'll Continue with this Road

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28804

#PoliticalOppression
Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit: Hope the world knows HongKongers are the glory of Hong Kong

Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit said he once understood the differences between abiding and breaking the law. However, the world has inverted black and white. Even under the authorities' suppression, he still believes that the Hong Kong government cannot detain all freedom fighters. Also, he always believes Hongkongers who had participated in the 2 million march persisted in their belief. He described, "Today is to temper our willpower." He hopes the world can see it and "Hongkongers are the glory of Hong Kong."

Jimmy Sham also apologised to Helena Wong Pik-wan, stating he feels sorry for The Democratic Party, and they hugged each other outside the police station.

Source: InMedia HK #Feb28
#MassArrest #Regime #Authoritarianism #PoliceState #PoliticalPersecution #JimmySham

#MassArrest #PoliticalPersecution
UK Foreign Minister Condemns Hong Kong Governments fot Persecuting Pro-democracy Activists

Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom #DominicRaab condemned the Hong Kong government for using the #NationalSecurityLaw to "eliminate political dissent".

Source: Dominic Raab's Twitter #Feb28
https://twitter.com/DominicRaab/status/1366047986191659011

In Hong Kong, 47 out of the 53 democrats from the primary election mass arrest on Jan 6 was sent to court on March 1, 2021 due to Subversion of State Power under the National Security Law.

#NationalSecurityLaw #MassArrest #PrimaryElection #GoHKgraphics

Hong Kong Charges 47 Democracy Supporters With Violating
Security Law

The Hong Kong authorities charged dozens of pro-democracy figures on Sunday with violating the National Security Law. The police said that each of the 47 people had been charged with a single count of “conspiracy to commit subversion.”

Lester Shum, was also charged, said “We have long before decided that we would not bow to authoritarianism. I hope that everyone will carry this decision in the very difficult days ahead.”

The charges filed on Sunday are the latest escalation in the Chinese government’s efforts to bring Hong Kong firmly under control. Its tightening grip sparked the 2019 protests, which included peaceful marches by hundreds of thousands of people as well as brawls between protesters and police officers.

Source: NYT #Feb28

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/28/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-arrests.html

#HongKong #MassArrest #NationalSecurityLaw

Hong Kong protesters gather as 47 dissidents appear in court

On Monday (March 1, 2021), Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters have gathered at a court in Hong Kong where 47 activists face charges of "conspiracy to commit subversion". 47 pro-democracy activists was charged in the dawn of the last month due to participating in the pro-democracy primary election last year.

Police officers were deployed to control the crowds as pro-democracy supporters queued for seats at the court hearing.

Some chanted slogans including "liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" and "fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong". Police have told the crowds at the West Kowloon Magistrates Court that they are in breach of the controversial National Security Law and face fines.

Source: BBC #Mar01

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-56237688

#HongKong #Hongkongwe #MassArrest #NationalSecurityLaw

'Endure, everyone': final messages from Hong Kong democracy figures before detention

On Sunday (28 Feb), 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion over accusations of participating in or organising an unofficial primary election last year. All face terms of up to life in prison if convicted. Before they reported to police stations across the city to be detained, some sent messages to their supporters about justice, hope and endurance.

Fergus Leung Fong-wai, 23, district councillor and student, “continue to hold on. Remember the reasons why we chose to stand out.”

Owen Chow Ka-shing, 24, intended to run in the elections, “whether we are in the streets, in prison or overseas, hope will always be needed for us to keep fighting this endless battle ... Good luck to all of you out there.”

Lester Shum Ngo-fai, 27, district councillor, disqualified in July 2020, “do not feel demoralised, this road is our own. It is for Hong Kong people to choose together, it is the one we must walk together. History has no turnback points, only predecessors.”

Source: The Guardian #Mar01

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/01/endure-everyone-hong-kong-democracy-figures-messages-detention?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

#HongKong #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL #MassArrest

#FirstHand #Mar11
Former Lawmaker on Suspicion of Security Law Breach Granted Bail

The decision came as the High Court continued to deal with a challenge by the prosecutors to a lower court’s decision to grant bail to 11 of the pro-democracy activists and politicians, including Wong.

When leaving the court, Wong was welcomed by a large group of supporters.

She stopped briefly to talk to media representatives, saying that she wanted to go home and share some time with her family.

Soon afterwards, she left the scene with her husband and friends.

#HelenaWong #HighCourt #MassArrest #Subversion #NationalSecurityLaw

#47Democrats #MassArrest
International Rallies Around the Globe, Supporting the 47 Detained Pro-Democracy Activists

Source: Stand News; #Mar9

#InternationalRally #Taiwan #Tainan #US #SanFrancisco #UK #Nottingham #NationalSecurityLaw

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#47Democrats #MassArrest
International Rallies Around the Globe, Supporting the 47 Detained Pro-Democracy Activists

The 47 pro-democracy activists who participated in or organized the primary election were arrested under the national security law. Hong Kong citizens from all around the world held rallies at multiple locations to support the detained activists. These include San Francisco, USA, Melbourne, Australia, Berlin, Germany, Tainan, Taiwan, Nottingham, UK and Vancouver, Canada.

Rally Attendees waved flags with the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times”. Some played “Glory to Hong Kong“, in which the crowd sang along to the song, hoping to support those in Hong Kong not to give up.

Although the rallies were scattered around the world, all participants and organizers expressed a similar message:

“Use the light you have, to shine others along your way.” (Tainan)

“We want to make a difference and speak out against mass arrests.” (San Francisco Bay Area)

A message to Hongkongers that “Keep speaking out, continue making yourself heard and do not be censored.” (Nottingham, United Kingdom)

Source: Stand News; #Mar9

#InternationalRally #Taiwan #Tainan #US #SanFrancisco #UK #Nottingham #NationalSecurityLaw

Hong Kong: Prosecution of opposition figures an unprecedented attack on human rights

As regards a Hong Kong court’s decision to deny bail to 32 of 47 pro-democracy lawmakers and activists charged with “conspiracy to subversion” under Hong Kong’s national security and criminal laws, Amnesty International Hong Kong’s Programme Manager Lam Cho Ming said: 

“These prosecutions are an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression and association in Hong Kong.”  
“None of them have committed a recognized crime, but they have fallen victim to a national security law that deems people a ‘threat’ simply for the peaceful expression of political views and for taking part in the conduct of public affairs.”

“The targeting of these lawmakers and activists signals the government’s intention to close off any space for meaningful political participation in Hong Kong and discourage any future such activities.”

Source: Amnesty #Mar04

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/03/hk-opposition-prosecutions-an-unprecedented-attack-on-human-rights/

#HKNSL #HKNationalSecurityLaw #MassArrest #47ProDemocracyActivists