#HongKongProtests
500 Days of Fight and Ongoing

It has been more than a year since the Anti-Extradition Law Movement btoke out in Hong Kong in 2019.

The Stand News has hosted 2,787 live broadcasts during countless protests, capturing the moments when its reporter was assaulted by the white-clad mobsters at Yuen Long 7.21 triad attack; when the seize of Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (#PolyU) traumatuzed many; and when Hongkongers were in solidarity chanting and singing protest slogans and songs at playgrounds, shopping malls and on the streets.

The Stand News created a digital archive of all the live broadcasts which covered these 500 days of protests, all starting with 1.03 million Hongkongers took it to the street on June 9, 2019.

As the exiled Czech writer Milan Kundera once said, "The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting."

Source: Stand News #Oct22

#NeverForget #NeverForgive #StandwithHongkong #FightForFreedom

#DieWelt #HongKongProtest
#JoshuaWong Tells German Press: Not Expecting a Fair Trial, but Jailing Will Not Stop Hong Kong's Democracy Movement

Joshua Wong gave a written interview with the German press Die Welt while in solitary confinement, as he awaits his sentencing.

He said that he has long lost faith in Hong Kong's judicial system, and does not expect that a fair trial will take place

He says that it was difficult to sleep in his cell, since they kept his lights on 24 hours a day; however, compared to the 12 Hongkongers detained in China, he considered his charges to be relatively minor.

Wong said that he was placed in solitary confinement and not allowed to leave his single-person cell to meet with other inmates or exercise outside.

The lights in his cell were on 24 hours a day, and he could only sleep by covering his eyes with his face mask.

He further said he felt like a dissident in China, and that China is a threat to freedom across the world: "Everyone, including universities, journalists, and companies, are all being forced to adhere to Chinese standards."

Wong stressed that even if he, ex-Demosisto chairperson Ivan Lam, and ex-member Agnes Chow were all sentenced to jail, Hong Kong's democracy movement would not be stopped.

Source: Stand News #Nov27
Original: Die Welt #Nov27

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article221122984/Joshua-Wong-China-bedroht-die-Freiheit-der-Welt.html

#Jail #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliceState #StandWithHongKong #AgnesChow #IvanLam

#FreedomofSpeech #StandWithMorey
NBA's Morey is defiant in his support to Hong Kong democracy

In October 2019, NBA team Houston Rockets Director #DarylMorey posted a “#StandwithHongKong” photo on Twitter to show his ardent support for Hong Kong democracy.

Not only did his belief in freedom of speech triggered a storm of intense political dispute, it also almost jeopardized his career in #NBA.

In an interview with Apple Daily published on Dec 23, 2020, Morey expressed that he came to understand Hong Kong’s predicament from his EMBA classmates. He decided to show his support to Hong Kong on Twitter.

When being asked whether he regrets his action, Morey paused for a few seconds and responded, “I am comfortable with what I have done.”

Although Morey didn’t regret showing his support to pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, he was concerned about the safety of his wife and his children. “I have been dreadfully worried. I was lucky to have many people offering me assistance to handle this incident. If possible, you won’t want to antagonize the world’s second strongest country … .” Morey said.

Source: Apple Daily #Dec23

https://hk.appledaily.com/sports/20201223/G6EENEKQFFECLDQKFA2NXHBIMQ/

#Interview

#Court #818Rally #PoliticalPersecution
German Parliament Member: We should not give up on Hong Kong democracy advocates

In Hong Kong, a number of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong were accused of "organising and participating in the an assembly at Victoria Park on August 18, 2019 during the Anti-ELAB movement.

Among them were Lee Chu-Ming, Founding Chairman of the Democratic Party; Margaret Ng Ngoi-Yee, barrister and ex-Legislative Councillor; and Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, Founder of Apple Daily. They were charged of "oganising and taking part in an unauthorised assembly". The trial began in court on Feb 16, 2021.

In Germany, #GydeJensen, the youngest female member of the #GermanParliament, showed support for the pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. She uploaded photos of her holding up a sign which said “WE STAND WITH HONGKONG”. She also mentioned that she had made motion in the parliament, urging #Germany and the #EU to show more concern on human rights issues.

Jensen stated that the prosecution of the pro-democracy figures was undoubtedly a political one, and was part of Xi Jinping’s plan to silence the democratic movement in Hong Kong, so that Hong Kong people would give up their hope on freedom and democracy.

Jensen warns that the agenda also applied to the international level. She stressed that international figures could not let themselves get numbed by Hong Kong’s current situation, nor give up on Hong Kong’s democratic advocates.

Source: Stand News #Feb17

#GlobalSupport #JimmyLai #MargaretNg #StandWithHongKong #InternationalSociety

#FirstHand #Court
Granny Wong and hundreds of Hongkongers show support pro-democracy activists outside of the court

1040 | West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, Hong Kong

On the day of the court hearing, hundreds of Hongkongers showed up to voice support for the pro-democracy activists outside of the court.

By 10:00am, Granny Wong was seen outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts along with hundreds of pro-democracy supporters.

In addition to her familiar yellow umbrella and British flag, Granny Wong displayed hand-made light boxes that read, “#FightforFreedom", "#StandwithHongKong" and "#StandwithMyanmar".

#FirstHand #March1 #Court #PoliticalPrisoners #YNWA

#FirstHand #Court #Mar1
Determined and Unafraid: Pro-democracy Hongkongers in Solidarity Rally Outside of the Court

1330 | West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, Hong Kong

Half of the day has gone by, hundreds of pro-democracy Hong Kong citizens, continued to rally outside the Court to show support and respect to the 47 democrats facing National Security accusation.

Many showed up in black to express discontentment to the Government's crackdown of dissenting voices, they chanted “Hongkongers #AddOil” [a Cantonese slang meaning "Hang on], along the way as well as “Release all political prisoners” and “#StandwithHongKong”.

#Solidarity #HongKongProtests #NeverGiveUp #PoliticalPrisoner #YNWA

#FirstHand #Mar1 #GoHKInterview
Pro-democracy Activist #FigoChan: I Am Sure We Won't Give Up

Watch Video:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28860

Figo Chan (陳皓桓), activist and convener of the organization Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), spoke to our reporter on March 1, 2021 outside West Kowloon magistrates court regarding the hearing of 47 pro-democracy candidates.

The group was charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" under the #NationalSecurityLaw. The court is currently in session and Figo Chan believes that “it will take a long time since there are quite a number of accused, if each of their lawyers shall speak, it will definitely take until the afternoon.”

Chan said that “I am sure the supporters who are queueing in front of the court right now and those who are not here at the moment will not give up. I hope that we will all continue to persist and speak out."

He added, "Even though the government has restricted us from going on protests and rallies, we still found a way to queue up and vocally support those inside; the government has stopped us from voting, yet we found a way to “vote” with our presence by coming out here.”

“I believe those in court, in jail and those who might be charged and sentenced in the future will persist, so we shouldn’t give up on hope, I am sure it will be okay if we all stand strong on what we believe.”

When asked about his thoughts on whether the accused may be granted bail, Chan replied saying that “I really don’t know how to evaluate the situation right now since Hong Kong has become so absurd. Even organizing an unofficial primary poll can be considered to be a conspiracy to commit subversion, and it seems that the chances of them being granted bail are slim."

"I know that the world can get more and more absurd each day , but as long as we, the people, remain logical and stand strong on what we believe is right, I think it will be okay.”

Chan was also asked whether he has anything he would like to say to Hong Kong supporters overseas. “I know that the Hong Kong citizens who have moved abroad and the overseas supporters must be feeling very powerless and hopeless right now. They must be sad because of how their home has become."

"But I want to emphasize that there are still a lot of people in Hong Kong who are still persisting on, many of us who are still here haven't given up yet. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long as we all continue to speak out for freedom and democracy, we will be able to get the democracy we fight for."

"If we can speak out for the citizens in Myanmar, in turn, those in other countries can definitely support those in Hong Kong. So I believe we must all stand strong, persist, and never give up,” said Figo Chan.

Source: First Hand

====
More first-hand interview of the day:

"Jail First, Trial Later": Ex-Lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan in Hong Kong Blasts National Security Trial for Lack of Due Process

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28864


#Interview #Court #PoliticalPersecution #NeverGiveUp #HongkongersVoices #StandWithHongKong #StandwithMyanmar
#FightforFreedom

British Asia-Pacific Minister: UK Sanctions Chinese officials for Xinjiang Issue but How About Hong Kong Officials?

The protest organisation “Stand with Hong Kong” held an online roundtable meeting with UK Labour Party on Mar 24 to discuss its role in the Hong Kong issue. Stephen Kinnock, the Labour Party shadow minister, asked why the UK government had not sanctioned Hong Kong officials yet while sanctions had already put on related China officials. Recently, some public opinions question whether UK judges should still serve in Hong Kong judiciary institutions. Kinnock believes “the time of UK judges serving Hong Kong should be ended”.

The meeting was hosted by Siobhain McDonagh, the Labour Party Congressman. Stephen Kinnock, the shadow Asia-Pacific State Affairs Minister, Francis, representatives of “Stand with Hong Kong”, and Ted Hui, the former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council who exiled to Australia, spoke in turn.

Source : Stand News #Mar26

https://bit.ly/3vrSnWl

#UK #LabourParty #StandwithHongKong #OnlineMeeting #StephenKinnock #TedHui #sanctions

Australian Foreign Minister: Stand with those who care about freedom of the press 
 
The 26-year-old Hong Kong “Apple Daily” was forced to cease operations on 24 June,2021 due to the freezing of many senior executives and assets. This has drawn many foreign countries’ attention.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne indicated through the post, “Sith the closure of the Apple Daily, Australia stands with those raising legitimate concerns about the future of press freedoms in Hong Kong. She especially mentioned those attentions are legitimate.  
 
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has posted on Twitter and demonstrated the concern at the arrest of journalists from Apple Daily. The impact will have on freedom of expression in Hong Kong, as provided in the Basic Law underpinned by the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Since the closure of Apple Daily, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne retweeted the post of DFAT, and posted to indicate, Australia will stand with the people who care about freedom of press.  
 
Source: Stand News #Jun25 
 
 https://bit.ly/3zpeuyD

#AppleDaily #FreedomOfPress #FreedomOfSpeech #Australia #HongKong #China #CCP #Democracy #BasicLaw #JointDeclaration #DFAT #Twitter #StandWithHongKong  

#Solidarity
Mime Pro-democrscy Demonstration in #Nottingham, Hongkongers in #UK Preserve Memory of 8.31 Prince Edward Attack

2021 marks the second anniversary of the 8.31 Prince Edward Attack by the police in 2019. As Hong Kong is under the tight grip of authoritarian control, there are no large scale memorial activities planned.

Overseas Hongkongers told their fellow Hongkongers that they have not forgotten this date.

In UK on August 29, 2021, the group "Nottingham Stands With Hong Kong" presented a large-scale silent skit titled "We Are the Chosen One", recreating scene after scene of heart-rending moments from the 2019 Anti-ELAB protests.

Participants posted photos and videos of the skit on Facebook, noting that "there are things that can't be done in Hong Kong now. We understand. So leave it to us overseas people."

The group explained that they wanted to preserve the memory of the events; however, it was even more important that the international community knows what happened in Hong Kong. "It doesn't matter if you're in Hong Kong or overseas. As long as you're a true Hongkonger, our hearts will be connected, and we'll remember what we promised to each other. See you under the Pot!"

Video from Nottingham Stands With Hong Kong: https://www.facebook.com/NottsStandsWithHK/posts/585861336158559

Source: Stand News; 移英日記 facebook #Aug29

https://www.thestandnews.com/international/ab%E7%B4%80%E5%BF%B5-831-%E5%85%A9%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4-%E5%9C%A8%E8%8B%B1%E6%B8%AF%E4%BA%BA%E8%88%89%E8%BE%A6%E9%BB%98%E5%8A%87%E8%A8%98%E4%BD%8F%E6%AD%B7%E5%8F%B2

#CollectiveMemory #831PrinceEdward #StandWithHongKong
#Performance #Remembrance