#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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Read more:

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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Read more:

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

#GlobalSupport #Japan
#JPAC calls for Japanese government to enact legislation for Human Rights #sanction

An inter-parliamentary group, Japan Parliamentary Alliance on China (JPAC) issued a statement on March 18, 2021 in which it condemned the China's General Assembly of the People's Congress for forcing changes to the electoral system in Hong Kong and charging 47 democrats with National Security breaches.

The alliance urged the Japanese Government to enact Human Rights Violations Sanctions Act as soon as possible and offer protection for Hongkongers facing oppression through immigration means.

The Alliance criticized the Chinese Communist Party’s (#CCP) amendments of Hong Kong’s electoral system as an act that deprives the democrat’s right to vote, aiming to weaken the development of democracy in Hong Kong.

JPAC further denounced that the CCP has blatantly violated the principle of One Country Two Systems as promised in the Sino-British Joint Declaration .

The statement also mentioned the Hong Kong authorities' arrest of 47 democrats for charges of “conspiracy to subverting state power”. It also reiterated that almost all known democratic political figures in Hong Kong have been arrested, jailed or forced to exile.

The JPAC strongly protested the arrests and called for the early release of the arrested persons.

Source: Stand News; #Mar18

https://www.thestandnews.com/international/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%B7%A8%E9%BB%A8%E6%B4%BE%E8%AD%B0%E5%93%A1%E8%AD%B4%E8%B2%AC%E4%BA%BA%E5%A4%A7%E6%9B%B4%E6%94%B9%E6%B8%AF%E9%81%B8%E8%88%89%E5%88%B6%E5%BA%A6-%E7%B1%B2%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E7%9B%A1%E6%97%A9%E5%88%B6%E5%AE%9A%E4%BA%BA%E6%AC%8A%E5%88%B6%E8%A3%81%E6%B3%95/

#Sanction #MassArrest #47Democrats

#47Democrats
Defiant Football Fans in Hong Kong Vow Support to Democrats Despite the Threat of #NationalSecurityLaw

During a premier league match in Hong Kong between football teams Kitchee and Eastern Long Lions held at the Mong Kok Stadium on the evening of March 19, 2021 at 8 pm, football fans applauded exactly at the 47th minute into the match.

The was the second time in the row the last week before where football fans clapped hands to rally support to the 47 democrats arrested for part-taking Legislative Council primary election and charged with "conspiracy to subvert state power".

Football fans clapped hands and chanted slogans such as, “rally support our fellow protesters till the end”, on at least four match days so far since the opening of the Premier League in Hong Kong in March 2021.

Source: Stand News; #Mar19
https://fb.watch/4l5BveamqE/

#Football #PremierLeague #MassArrest #Democrats #Save47 #Kitchee #EasternLongLions #MongKokStadium

#PoliticalPrisoner #MassArrest
#PolyUSiege: HK Police Arrests 21 Civilians Including Student Standing in Public Exam

The police arrested 21 civilians in Hong Kong on the morning of April 26, 2021. The arrestees have refused bail in the Hong Kpng Polytechnic University (#PolyU) clash during the 2019 Anti-ELAB protest.

The Organised Crime and Triad Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force charged them with “perverting the course of justice” as they were suspected of assisting other civilians trapped in the PolyU campus to avoid from being tracked.

Stand News found that one of the arrestees is a public exam HKDSE candidate who was absent for the subject Liberal Studies - Paper 1 exam due to police detention.

His/ her educational pathway will be obstructed as this paper accounts for 56% of the assessment, which is a core subject and required to obtain at least a level 2 in university admission.

Source: Stand News #Apr23

https://bit.ly/3aCvqb2

#PoliceState #PoliticalSuppression

What has happened since the pro-democracy LegCo primary?

#LegCo #MassArrest #PrimaryElection #GoHKgraphics

#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #MassArrest
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants

Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18

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#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #MassArrest
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants

47 lawmakers, academia, and activist are being suspected of organising and participating in the primary election in 2020. They are being accused of "conspiring subversion of state".

In the 139-page of case study, it revealed that 5 of the defendants were classified as "major organisers" - #BennyTai, a legal scholar; #AuNokHin, a former legislator; #ChiuKaYin and #ChungKamLun, former district council members; and #GordonNg, an activist.

Among them, only Gordon Ng decided to plea not guilty.

Gordon Ng Concern Group wrote a post on social media after the release of the restrictions on reporting the cases, referring to Ng's perspective that he is "definitely not believing" that he had violated the law,  and therefore, "I will face it despite being afraid”.

Ng said that he spent most of his time thinking about whether or not to plead guilty since being charged one and a half years ago. This question "makes him breathless" as his answer would most likely affect the second half of his life, with too many factors to consider.

He mentioned up until now, no defendant under the #NSL case has successfully been acquitted of their charges and described the space for discusiion, as an unknown as it required a lot of human and material resources. He asked, "is there a better way to use the resources spent on me?"

Ng understands that if he pleads guilty, his one-third of his original sentence may be cut. Yet, he is still unsure whether he is classified as a "main person", "with large crime" or "proactive participant". The category can seriously affect his sentence, from under three years to life imprisonment.

In addition, Ng stated that the case caught local and international attention, and as a result, he reflects on whether he has the responsibility to consider the view of civic society. He is an #Australian citizen, and the Australian government once published a statement raising concerns on the case. Therefore, he reflects, "Will my defence statement affect their views on the case?"

Gordon Ng admitted that he had no answer for most of his questions, but a fundamental question struck him - Do you think you had violated the law? "No, I absolutely don't think so. Therefore, I decide not to plead."

There is no way for him to get rid of the unknowns. He can only face it with courage. "I have prepared to fight for myself on the court. That is the largest battle in my life."

[Editor note: Gordon Ng is not a candidate for the election nor represents any political parties or organisations but a passerby on #LIHKG (named Lee Bak Lou, indicating liberal). He was the initiator of #LegCoPetition. It is a petition aimed to quantify people's voices and to call people to vote for the winners in the primary election and not to vote for candidates who do not support, participate or comply with the primary election. This petition puts pressure on candidates to adhere to the election results.]

Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18

https://bit.ly/3Ctdhek
https://bit.ly/3Rb3rSD

Read more about the case:

Jan 6, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/27802

Feb 28, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28799

Mar 1-2, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28876
.