📡Guardians of Hong Kong
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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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Website: https://guardiansofhk.com/
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Hong Kong’s protest movement has made a difference for the world.

Hong Kong’s struggles have emboldened and influenced activists around the globe in their own distinctive fight against autocratic forces. Demonstrators in places from Minsk to Minneapolis and from Beirut to Bangkok are now pressing their agenda.

Hong Kong protesters’ “be water” mantra tactical flexibility has had a widespread impact and been cited by activist in places.

Last year’s protest wave in Hong Kong did not succeed in accomplishing its goals, but it is showing a power to
Inspire and affecting more places and struggles in a wider variety of setting than any past Chinese protest wave.

Source: NIKKEI Asia #Oct18

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Hong-Kong-s-protest-movement-has-made-a-difference-for-the-world

#HongKong #HongKongProtest #BeWater #HongKonger
#Sports
#HongKongAthlete Breaks Hong Kong Records in International Half Marathon in Poland

Christy Yiu Kit-Ching, a 32-year-old long-distance runner representing Hong Kong, broke Hong Kong records in an international half marathon organized by World Athletics on Oct 17, 2020.

The marathon was held in Gdynia in northern Poland. Yiu finished the course in 1 hour 12 minutes and 10 seconds, coming in 49th place. The result is expected to bring her closer to the qualifications of Tokyo Olympics.

Another Hong Kong athlete
Vut Tsz-ying was in the 96th place. She created her new personal best with the record of 1 hour 19 minutes and 8 seconds.

Source: Sportsroad #Oct18

https://www.facebook.com/710476795704610/posts/3564039033681691/

#ChristyYu #VutTszYing #TokyoOlympics #Marathon
#WorldAthletics
Executive Committee of UCSU CUHK Dissolves

Source: Stand News #Oct18

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31262
Executive Committee of UCSU CUHK Dissolves

Following the Chinese University of Hong Kong Student Union (CUSU), the Executive Committee of the Student Union of United College, CUHK have also announced its disbandment. They said in their statement, "CUHK’s management has closed in on college students unions with threats of individual registration after requiring CUSU to do so.” And that with no other choice, all cabinet committees have now resigned, followed by the dissolution of the Executive Committee.

The statement said that the Student Union of United College had voiced out issues of injustice in the preceding decades, including those in college administration, school administration, and current social affairs. They aimed to raise social awareness and put their feet into others' shoes “outside ivory towers”. However, “there is very little room for us to practice the college motto in these times.”

The statement said that the 59-year history of the Student Union has formally come to an end, saying, “we apologise to every UCian for failing to live up to the efforts paid by previous cabinets over the years.”

They also indicated, “there are many goals and ideals we have yet to fulfill, and we are more than reluctant to end our journey here. However, we do not regret what we’ve done in the past months and would like to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts.”

The statement ends with the college anthem, “The sky is vast and the sun remains in the sky. We must keep this pure heart, be kind, and set an example for others.”

Read the full statement here.

Source: Stand News #Oct18
#CUHK #ChineseUniversity #StudentUnion #ExecutiveCommittee #Dissolution
#Court #FreedomOfSpeech
Chanting ‘Hongkongers, add oil’ could be seditious

#NSL #NationalSecurityLaw #TamTakChi #FastBeat #Sedition #Secession

Source: InmediaHK; #Oct18
https://bit.ly/3n5hpIg

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#Court #FreedomOfSpeech
Chanting ‘Hongkongers, add oil’ could be seditious


The prosecution’s expert witness, History Prof. Lau Chi-pang at #LingnanUniversity in Hong Kong testified in the trial of former radio presenter Tam Tak-chi (a.k.a Fast Beat) on October 18.

Lau told the District Court that “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” or “Hongkongers, add oil” were capable of inciting others to break the national security law.

He said "Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” was originated with the activist and later picked up by protesters who vandalised Beijing’s liaison office in Sai Wan on July 21, 2019. He maintained that it is secessionist in nature. Other expressions such as “Hongkongers, add oil” and “no rioters but tyranny” could also have breached the law.

Lau was also an expert witness in Hong Kong’s first national security law trial in which defendant Tong Ying-kit was jailed for nine years.

Besides, Standard Chartered Hong Kong #Marathon 2021 would be the first high profile athletic event after the National Security Law implementation in Hong Kong.

Reporters queried in the briefing sessions whether a runner's outfit bearing controversial slogans could be disqualified and whether the organiser would report the case to local police. The organiser declined to address the question initially.

When being pressed afterwards, the organiser suggested runners to amend the slogan to "Runners Add Oil" instead of "Hong Kong Add Oil", as "Hong Kong has always been progressing, never regressing".

They declined to comment on how the display of the protest flag, Liberate Hong Kong Revolution of our Times, would be handled, "it's not a Marathon's matter".

#NSL #NationalSecurityLaw #TamTakChi #FastBeat #Sedition #Secession

Source: InmediaHK; #Oct18
https://bit.ly/3n5hpIg
#Censorship #PoliticalSuppression
"Barbarious", "Mafia Tactic":
#PillarofShame Creator Shocked as the University of Hong Kong Demands Removal

Sources: Stand News; InMediaHK; #Oct18

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31299
#Censorship #PoliticalSuppression
"Barbarious", "Mafia Tactic":
#PillarofShame Creator Shocked as the University of Hong Kong Demands Removal

Part 1/2

On October 7, 2021, the University of Hong Kong (#HKU) called for the removal of a statue commemorating the pro-democracy protesters killed during the 1989 Tiananmen massacre in Beijing, with a 6-day deadline.

The "Pillar of Shame" had been placed on long-term display inside the HKU campus since 1998 with support from the HKU Student Union.

Representing the university, US law firm Mayer Brown issued a letter demanding the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance (#HKASPDMC) – the organiser of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen vigil – to “immediately … make arrangements for the sculpture (the 8-meter-tall Pillar of Shame) to be removed from the university’s premises”.

“If you fail to remove the sculpture … it will be deemed abandoned,” the letter said, “if the Alliance fails to take it away, and the university will deal with the sculpture at such time and in such manner as it thinks fit without further notice.”

Danish artist #JensGalschiot, the statue's creator, was shocked at the demand, calling it “barbarous” and a “mafia” tactic. He told reporters that he remains the owner of the sculpture, and he has hired a lawyer to protect his property, which was only on loan to the Alliance.

“I hope that my ownership of the sculpture will be respected and that I will be able to transport the sculpture out of Hong Kong under orderly conditions and without it having suffered from any damage,” he said, adding that any damage would be the university’s responsibility.

Galschiot described the act as an attempt to erase China's collective historical memory. In a statement, he wrote in contempt, “China has made the Pillar of Shame ever taller and bigger in the eyes of the world.”

Read Part 2:
Law Firm Refuses to Represent Hong Kong's Top University
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31306

#TiananmenMassacre #Memorial #Art #CollectiveMemory

Sources: Stand News; InMediaHK; #Oct18

https://thestandnews.page.link/cWZQyyVUAc2Z255J7

https://thestandnews.page.link/ExESJ1tzktLMiEoR6

https://bit.ly/3vq26O4
US Law Firm Withdraws from Representing the University of Hong Kong Amid Outcry from Civic Groups and US Politicians

Sources: Stand News; InMedia; #Oct18

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US Law Firm Withdraws from Representing the University of Hong Kong Amid Outcry from Civic Groups and US Politicians

On behalf of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU), the law firm #MayerBrown issued a letter to Danish artist #JensGalschiot, demanding the removal of his famous sculpture #PillarofShame, which has beena symbol commemorating the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre and on display on campus since 2003, within six days.

The action prompted an outcry from pro-democracy and human rights groups, who expressed dismay that a US law firm was helping the Chinese regime to suppress the commemoration of the massacre.

28 civil society groups signed an open letter calling for Mayer Brown to withdraw from representing the university, citing the importance of safeguarding the firm’s “integrity in defending the right of freedom of expression”.

US Republican senators including Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham also condemned the firm.

Mayer Brown initially defended its representation of the university, saying the dispute was simply a real estate matter. But on October 15, 2021, the firm backed down, saying, "going forward, Mayer Brown will not be representing its longtime client in this matter.”

Following Mayer Brown's withdrawal, former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying took to Facebook to denounce the firm as having been "infiltrated by foreign powers" and calling on all "Chinese" clients to withdraw their business.

The sculpture was still in the university campus as the deadline for its removal passed.

The debate over removal of the Pillar of Shame from #HKU was brought to a legislative meeting on October 18, 2021, when pro-Beijing legislator Luk Chung-hung, a representative from the pro-CCP Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, took it in a verbal inquiry.

Luk referred the sculpture as “trash” three times, calling it a "totem of anti-CCP sentiments" that has confused and poisoned youngsters in Hong Kong. He called for local police to assist the university in handling the case.

#TiananmenMassacre #Memorial #Art #CollectiveMemory

Sources: Stand News; InmediaHK; #Oct18

https://thestandnews.page.link/cWZQyyVUAc2Z255J7

https://thestandnews.page.link/ExESJ1tzktLMiEoR6

https://bit.ly/3vq26O4
#BreakingNews
The pillar of Shame is being destroyed in these minutes : Jen Galschiot calls for public record on Twitter


According to the Undergrad, at around 2200 on #Dec22, the Pillar of Shame located inside HKU grounds were closed off by construction workers, authorised by the school authorities.

White cloth and yellow barriers could be seen barricading the view of the Pillar from the pedestrian bridge above and near it on the ground. School personnel watched over the site, with construction noise emanating nearby.

Sources revealed that the school Council have convened a meeting on #Dec22 and has come to the conclusion of disassembling the Pillar of Shame. People at HKU believed that this decision was spurred on by pressure from the National Security Department, which could be seen as direct pressure from the Chinese Central Government.

At around 0000 on #Dec23, a crane and a truck carrying a container could be seen arriving at HKU.

The Pillar of Shame, sculpted by artist Jens Galschiøt to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre, has stood in HKU grounds for 24 years. The school authorities had initially remained cooperative with its display on school grounds, but had recently called for removal of the sculpture since October. As the University could not determine who the sculpture belonged to, the fate of the sculpture had remained undecided.

Many have regarded the Pillar of Shame as a symbol of freedom in Hong Kong as the creator, Jen Galschiøt, wrote in 1997, "it [the Pillar of Shame] was put on permanent public display to serve, as a test of the authorities’ “guarantees for human rights and freedom of expression in Hong Kong.”

Sources: Stand News; Citizen News; Jen Galschiot's Twitter page; #Dec23

Images: Stand News; Citizen News; Roy Li and Stephanie Wu

#HKU #PillarOfShame

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"Barbarious", "Mafia Tactic": #PillarofShame Creator Shocked as the University of Hong Kong Demands Removal
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31298

Danish Sculptor seeks immunity from Hong Kong's National Security Law
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31439

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31329?single