Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#OpinionArticle #Court #PoliticalSuppression
"I Do Not Plead Guilty": Hong Kong Journalist Facing Legal Challenge for Unveiling Suspected Police-Triad Collusion
[Editor's note: This is an opinion article written by Au Ka-lun, a veteran journalist in Hong Kong.
In this article, Au recounted what happened during a court hearing where Bao Choy, a journslist working for the public broadcaster RTHK, was charged by the Hong Kong authorities for "giving false statement". The case has stirred up the population's outcry for censoring media freedom and infringing free speech.]
On March 24, 2021, in the courtroom of the Western Magistrate’s Courts in Hong Komg, veteran journalist Bao Choy Yuk-ling resonantly said “I do not plead guilty”.
It is noteworthy that Choy said “I do not plead guilty" (我不認罪) instead of “I plead not guilty” (我唔認罪).
Bao Choy is a professional broadcaster who knows well the subtle difference between “do not” (不) and “Not” (唔) in Cantonese.
In Cantonese, the negation word that is pronounced “ng” is hard to sound out loudly, making it more difficult to be heard and message less affirmative.
Comparatively speaking, the sentence “I do not plead guilty” is more resounding and powerful.
Although I cannot see Bao Choy’s eyes and face through the screen, her clear response to the Court--by saying “I do not plead guilty” twice--found resonance outside the wall of the courtroom.
I heard not only her determination and defiance, but also her unyielding spirit with no fear, complaint and regret.
During the court hearing, the entire news documentary program, Hong Kong Connection: The Truth of 721. Perhaps, which was produced by Choy, was shown.
All those inside and outside the courtroom watched the investigative news programme, which is about the triad attack on pro-democracy protesters and passersby in Yuen Long on July 21, 2019, together.
We saw footages where a large group of white-clad gangsters gathered in the early afternoon; we even saw plain-clothes police officers witnessing the gathering of these Triad members.
The documentary recorded the suspected collusions between the police and the gangsters; questioned the police’s leniency towards the Triad; and demonstrated the journalists’ persistence in reporting the truth.
However, the Hong Kong authorities has deliberately tossed these facts aside. They charge a journalist for checking the car plates and owners' information.
It is a simple case, in which both the prosecution and the defendant did not summon a witness.
The case is upright and aboveboard, leaving Bao Choy nothing to defend for herself but holding her head high and said, “I do not plead guilty.”
Source: Stand News; #Mar24
https://www.thestandnews.com/court/%E8%94%A1%E7%8E%89%E7%8E%B2-%E6%88%91%E4%B8%8D%E8%AA%8D%E7%BD%AA/
#BaoChoy #AuKaLun #Journalism #Professionalism #RTHK
"I Do Not Plead Guilty": Hong Kong Journalist Facing Legal Challenge for Unveiling Suspected Police-Triad Collusion
[Editor's note: This is an opinion article written by Au Ka-lun, a veteran journalist in Hong Kong.
In this article, Au recounted what happened during a court hearing where Bao Choy, a journslist working for the public broadcaster RTHK, was charged by the Hong Kong authorities for "giving false statement". The case has stirred up the population's outcry for censoring media freedom and infringing free speech.]
On March 24, 2021, in the courtroom of the Western Magistrate’s Courts in Hong Komg, veteran journalist Bao Choy Yuk-ling resonantly said “I do not plead guilty”.
It is noteworthy that Choy said “I do not plead guilty" (我不認罪) instead of “I plead not guilty” (我唔認罪).
Bao Choy is a professional broadcaster who knows well the subtle difference between “do not” (不) and “Not” (唔) in Cantonese.
In Cantonese, the negation word that is pronounced “ng” is hard to sound out loudly, making it more difficult to be heard and message less affirmative.
Comparatively speaking, the sentence “I do not plead guilty” is more resounding and powerful.
Although I cannot see Bao Choy’s eyes and face through the screen, her clear response to the Court--by saying “I do not plead guilty” twice--found resonance outside the wall of the courtroom.
I heard not only her determination and defiance, but also her unyielding spirit with no fear, complaint and regret.
During the court hearing, the entire news documentary program, Hong Kong Connection: The Truth of 721. Perhaps, which was produced by Choy, was shown.
All those inside and outside the courtroom watched the investigative news programme, which is about the triad attack on pro-democracy protesters and passersby in Yuen Long on July 21, 2019, together.
We saw footages where a large group of white-clad gangsters gathered in the early afternoon; we even saw plain-clothes police officers witnessing the gathering of these Triad members.
The documentary recorded the suspected collusions between the police and the gangsters; questioned the police’s leniency towards the Triad; and demonstrated the journalists’ persistence in reporting the truth.
However, the Hong Kong authorities has deliberately tossed these facts aside. They charge a journalist for checking the car plates and owners' information.
It is a simple case, in which both the prosecution and the defendant did not summon a witness.
The case is upright and aboveboard, leaving Bao Choy nothing to defend for herself but holding her head high and said, “I do not plead guilty.”
Source: Stand News; #Mar24
https://www.thestandnews.com/court/%E8%94%A1%E7%8E%89%E7%8E%B2-%E6%88%91%E4%B8%8D%E8%AA%8D%E7%BD%AA/
#BaoChoy #AuKaLun #Journalism #Professionalism #RTHK
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #PoliticalOppression
3-Year #Backlog of Court Cases Mean Hong Kong Protesters may be "Jailed for Nothing", Says Concerned Barrister
Hong Kong's courts are experiencing a large backlog of protest-related cases, with some trials scheduled as late as 2024.
The riot case against pro-democracy protesters entering into the Legislative Council (#LegCo) chambers on July 1, 2019, which had its first hearing last week, is scheduled for trial in May 2023, more than 2 years later.
An anonymous barrister pointed out that the jail terms handed out for recent riot cases are 4 to 5 years, though the sentences are often reduced to around 3 years for good behavior in prison.
Time spent in custody while awaiting trial also counts toward time served, therefore some of the accused may have already served their sentences by the time the court has found them guilty. If they are found innocent, however, then "they would have been jailed for nothing these three years. We're talking three years, not a couple of months."
The situation is effectively handing down a punishment before the trial, the barrister said, and is unfair to the accused.
Though some arrestees in riot cases are released on bail, the terms include night-time curfews and prohibitions from being in certain locations, or from leaving the city.
The barrister calls the bail conditions harsh and disruptive to the lives of the accused, "as if it's meant for punishing them first." Bail conditions in other criminal cases are not nearly as numerous or complicated, he says, "I don't quite understand why riot cases nowadays need so many bail conditions."
Source: Apple Daily #Mar26
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210326/WWXAESVWLBCGXDRMFJYGDOCDRE/
#PoliceState #Bail #Injustice #Detention #RightToSpeedyTrial
3-Year #Backlog of Court Cases Mean Hong Kong Protesters may be "Jailed for Nothing", Says Concerned Barrister
Hong Kong's courts are experiencing a large backlog of protest-related cases, with some trials scheduled as late as 2024.
The riot case against pro-democracy protesters entering into the Legislative Council (#LegCo) chambers on July 1, 2019, which had its first hearing last week, is scheduled for trial in May 2023, more than 2 years later.
An anonymous barrister pointed out that the jail terms handed out for recent riot cases are 4 to 5 years, though the sentences are often reduced to around 3 years for good behavior in prison.
Time spent in custody while awaiting trial also counts toward time served, therefore some of the accused may have already served their sentences by the time the court has found them guilty. If they are found innocent, however, then "they would have been jailed for nothing these three years. We're talking three years, not a couple of months."
The situation is effectively handing down a punishment before the trial, the barrister said, and is unfair to the accused.
Though some arrestees in riot cases are released on bail, the terms include night-time curfews and prohibitions from being in certain locations, or from leaving the city.
The barrister calls the bail conditions harsh and disruptive to the lives of the accused, "as if it's meant for punishing them first." Bail conditions in other criminal cases are not nearly as numerous or complicated, he says, "I don't quite understand why riot cases nowadays need so many bail conditions."
Source: Apple Daily #Mar26
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210326/WWXAESVWLBCGXDRMFJYGDOCDRE/
#PoliceState #Bail #Injustice #Detention #RightToSpeedyTrial
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #47Democrats #PoliticalSuppression
A Journalist's Account of Witnessing the Trial of 47 Pro-democracy Activists in Hong Kong's Court
Part 1
[Editor's note: The Hong Kong authorities arrested and charged 47 pro-democracy with #NationalSecurityLaw violations for their participation in the primary election of the democratic camp in 2020. The trial began in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on March 1, 2021.
The following is a reflective account written by Hong Kong journalist Cheung Hoi-kit.]
In the court room, the 47 pro-democracy activists took half of the seats, crowding the area behind the defendant fence and the seats outside. It is like the entire dissidents camp has been arrested at once. Regardless of their ages, ranks and the political party, they became a community, facing their fate together.
With the large number of defendants and their lawyers, the main court did not have seats for the families, reporters and the public. Families could not stay close to the defendants, not even to have any eye contact, as they had to watch the hearing through the live broadcast.
The main court accomodated neither family members nor reporters. Even more so, no bail statement discussion was allowed. The marathon-style trial was like an epic, where countless tales were recounted.
The court debated on a wide range of media reports of the 47 pro-democracy activists. Although the chief magistrate Victor So said that those stories were touching, he claimed that those reports did not point to any public benefit.
Linda Wong, a senior counsel representing the defendants, argued that those stories were not a paragraph in a fiction, but the experience and the true background of a person. The defendants were not mere numbers.
The cold legal provisions and heart warming personal stories continued to compete in the court room.
Source: HK Citizens News #Mar14
Image: Sophiekiu.artsy
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29387
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/39218/47%E4%BA%BA%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8%E6%A1%88-%E6%B0%91%E4%B8%BB%E6%B4%BE%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8-%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8%E5%A4%A7%E8%B5%B7%E8%A8%B4-39218/%E3%80%90%E6%8E%A1%E8%A8%AA%E6%89%8B%E8%A8%98%E3%80%9147%E4%BA%BA%E6%A1%88%E5%9B%9B%E6%97%A5%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%9C%E3%80%8C%E5%8F%B2%E8%A9%A9%E5%BC%8F%E6%8F%90%E5%A0%82%E3%80%8D%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%80%E4%BA%9B%E5%82%99%E5%BF%98
#Reflection #PoliticalPrisoners
A Journalist's Account of Witnessing the Trial of 47 Pro-democracy Activists in Hong Kong's Court
Part 1
[Editor's note: The Hong Kong authorities arrested and charged 47 pro-democracy with #NationalSecurityLaw violations for their participation in the primary election of the democratic camp in 2020. The trial began in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on March 1, 2021.
The following is a reflective account written by Hong Kong journalist Cheung Hoi-kit.]
In the court room, the 47 pro-democracy activists took half of the seats, crowding the area behind the defendant fence and the seats outside. It is like the entire dissidents camp has been arrested at once. Regardless of their ages, ranks and the political party, they became a community, facing their fate together.
With the large number of defendants and their lawyers, the main court did not have seats for the families, reporters and the public. Families could not stay close to the defendants, not even to have any eye contact, as they had to watch the hearing through the live broadcast.
The main court accomodated neither family members nor reporters. Even more so, no bail statement discussion was allowed. The marathon-style trial was like an epic, where countless tales were recounted.
The court debated on a wide range of media reports of the 47 pro-democracy activists. Although the chief magistrate Victor So said that those stories were touching, he claimed that those reports did not point to any public benefit.
Linda Wong, a senior counsel representing the defendants, argued that those stories were not a paragraph in a fiction, but the experience and the true background of a person. The defendants were not mere numbers.
The cold legal provisions and heart warming personal stories continued to compete in the court room.
Source: HK Citizens News #Mar14
Image: Sophiekiu.artsy
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29387
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/39218/47%E4%BA%BA%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8%E6%A1%88-%E6%B0%91%E4%B8%BB%E6%B4%BE%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8-%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8%E5%A4%A7%E8%B5%B7%E8%A8%B4-39218/%E3%80%90%E6%8E%A1%E8%A8%AA%E6%89%8B%E8%A8%98%E3%80%9147%E4%BA%BA%E6%A1%88%E5%9B%9B%E6%97%A5%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%9C%E3%80%8C%E5%8F%B2%E8%A9%A9%E5%BC%8F%E6%8F%90%E5%A0%82%E3%80%8D%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%80%E4%BA%9B%E5%82%99%E5%BF%98
#Reflection #PoliticalPrisoners
Telegram
📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #47Democrats #PoliticalSuppression
A Journalist's Account of Witnessing the Trial of 47 Pro-democracy Activists in Hong Kong's Court
Part 1
Source: HK Citizens News #Mar14
Image: Sophiekiu.artsy
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29388
A Journalist's Account of Witnessing the Trial of 47 Pro-democracy Activists in Hong Kong's Court
Part 1
Source: HK Citizens News #Mar14
Image: Sophiekiu.artsy
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29388
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #PoliticalSuppression
University Student in HK Charged With National Security Violation for Reportedly Possessing Pepper Ball Gun
A 23-year-old university student in Hong Kong, who was originally accused of possessing a pepper ball gun without a licence, is now charged with "inciting secession" under the #NationalSecurityLaw.
The new charge was added by the prosecution when the case was mentioned in court on April 8, 2021.
In February, the prosecution made the news for grammatical mistakes in the indictment document such as "one piece pepper ball" and "two pieces pepper ball". The judge ordered the prosecution to correct the primary-school level English mistakes before continuing the trial, lest it becomes "the laughingstock of foreign courts.”
Source: Apple Daily #Apr8
https://bit.ly/39Qlkmi
See also: Police Charges Contain Rookie English Mistakes
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/28972
University Student in HK Charged With National Security Violation for Reportedly Possessing Pepper Ball Gun
A 23-year-old university student in Hong Kong, who was originally accused of possessing a pepper ball gun without a licence, is now charged with "inciting secession" under the #NationalSecurityLaw.
The new charge was added by the prosecution when the case was mentioned in court on April 8, 2021.
In February, the prosecution made the news for grammatical mistakes in the indictment document such as "one piece pepper ball" and "two pieces pepper ball". The judge ordered the prosecution to correct the primary-school level English mistakes before continuing the trial, lest it becomes "the laughingstock of foreign courts.”
Source: Apple Daily #Apr8
https://bit.ly/39Qlkmi
See also: Police Charges Contain Rookie English Mistakes
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/28972
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#PoliticalSuppression #Court
“I Plead Guilty, But I Have Done No Wrong”: Former Democratic Party Chairman in Hong Kong on Protest Charges
73-year-old Yeung Sum, former chairman of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, was among the few who plead guilty to participating in an unauthorized protest in the city on August 31, 2019.
The trial began on April 7, 2021 in the District Court in Hong Kong. Below are snippets from Yeung’s guilty plea:
“Your Honor, I plead guilty to the charges related to participating in an unauthorized assembly on Aug 31, 2019, but I have done no wrong, and I will not plead for mercy. The following is my submission."
“I plead guilty to participating in an unauthorized and illegal demonstration, but I will not admit that I did anything wrong.
Although the police did not issue a letter of no objection for the march, I still came forward to participate in the march because I want to uphold the fact that demonstration is a fundamental right of every Hong Kong citizen and should be constitutionally protected.
It was also to protest against the police’s abuse of power, who arbitrarily banned peaceful demonstrations and marches and deprived Hong Kong people of their civil rights.
Therefore, I am willing to put myself on the line and engage in civil disobedience in a peaceful manner, and I am prepared to accept the criminal liability of the law.”
For the full version in Chinese: https://bit.ly/3cUam0Y
Source: Stand News #April7
https://bit.ly/3cW1CaR
#PoliticalPrisoners #YeungSum #CivilDisobedience #AntiELAB #HongKongProtests
“I Plead Guilty, But I Have Done No Wrong”: Former Democratic Party Chairman in Hong Kong on Protest Charges
73-year-old Yeung Sum, former chairman of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, was among the few who plead guilty to participating in an unauthorized protest in the city on August 31, 2019.
The trial began on April 7, 2021 in the District Court in Hong Kong. Below are snippets from Yeung’s guilty plea:
“Your Honor, I plead guilty to the charges related to participating in an unauthorized assembly on Aug 31, 2019, but I have done no wrong, and I will not plead for mercy. The following is my submission."
“I plead guilty to participating in an unauthorized and illegal demonstration, but I will not admit that I did anything wrong.
Although the police did not issue a letter of no objection for the march, I still came forward to participate in the march because I want to uphold the fact that demonstration is a fundamental right of every Hong Kong citizen and should be constitutionally protected.
It was also to protest against the police’s abuse of power, who arbitrarily banned peaceful demonstrations and marches and deprived Hong Kong people of their civil rights.
Therefore, I am willing to put myself on the line and engage in civil disobedience in a peaceful manner, and I am prepared to accept the criminal liability of the law.”
For the full version in Chinese: https://bit.ly/3cUam0Y
Source: Stand News #April7
https://bit.ly/3cW1CaR
#PoliticalPrisoners #YeungSum #CivilDisobedience #AntiELAB #HongKongProtests
立場新聞 Stand News
【8.31 遊行】楊森求情：公民抗命願受刑責 泛民不做忠誠反對派 港人勿放棄 | 全文轉載 | 立場新聞
編按：民主黨前主席楊森、壹傳媒創辦人黎智英及工黨副主席李卓人，被指於前年 8 月 31 日於港島參與「未經批准...
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #PoliticalProsecution
HK Police Accuses 4 University Students of Rioting, One Carries Note that Reads “To all Hong Kongers, we must win”
During their siege of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in November 2019, the Hong Kong police confronted pro-democracy protesters at the No. 2 Bridge.
Afterwards, the police entered the campus, fired tear gas grenades and subdued civilians.
Among them, 3 male and 1 female university students were charged with rioting, violating the mask ban law and possessing offensive weapons. They were trialed on April 20, 2022 at the Wan Chai District Court. The case was handked by dstrict judge Clement Lee Hing-nin was .
In its opening statement, the prosecution said that a piece of paper was found after the police conducted body search on one of the students that was accused of rioting.
The note read “To all Hong Kongers, we must win”. The prosecution accused the student of rioting based on his all-black outfit, his presence at the riot scene, and the fact that he escaped when subdued by the police.
Source: Apple News #Apr20
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210420/QDAMBY2YMRCKDLGB37SEXN6KX4/
#CUHKSiege #Rioting #PoliceState #UniversityStudents #PoliticalPrisoner
HK Police Accuses 4 University Students of Rioting, One Carries Note that Reads “To all Hong Kongers, we must win”
During their siege of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in November 2019, the Hong Kong police confronted pro-democracy protesters at the No. 2 Bridge.
Afterwards, the police entered the campus, fired tear gas grenades and subdued civilians.
Among them, 3 male and 1 female university students were charged with rioting, violating the mask ban law and possessing offensive weapons. They were trialed on April 20, 2022 at the Wan Chai District Court. The case was handked by dstrict judge Clement Lee Hing-nin was .
In its opening statement, the prosecution said that a piece of paper was found after the police conducted body search on one of the students that was accused of rioting.
The note read “To all Hong Kongers, we must win”. The prosecution accused the student of rioting based on his all-black outfit, his presence at the riot scene, and the fact that he escaped when subdued by the police.
Source: Apple News #Apr20
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210420/QDAMBY2YMRCKDLGB37SEXN6KX4/
#CUHKSiege #Rioting #PoliceState #UniversityStudents #PoliticalPrisoner
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #PoliticalPrisoner
#JoshuaWong: Don't Let the World Change Us
In almost 2 years since the Anti-ELAB movement broke out in 2019, Hong Kong's representative figures of the pro-democracy "resistance" camp are either in jail or in exile.
Among them, former lawmaker #EddieChu, former journalist #GywnethHo, district councillors #LesterShum and #TiffanyYuen have been detained and denied bail since late February 2021. They are among the 47 pro-democracy activists arrested for joining the primary election in 2020.
Former chair of #Demisisto #NathanLaw and former spokesman for the Hong Kong Higher Institutions International Affairs Delegation (#HKIAD) #SunnyCheung have to sever ties with their family in Hong Kong and live in exile.
On March 30, 2021, district councillor #JannelleLeung and activist Joshua Wong, alongside Shum and Yuen, were trialed for taking part in an "unauthorised assembly" on #June4 in Victoria Park in 2020.
They were among 24 pro-democracy figures who were charged for participating in the annual candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims of the 1989 #TiananmenSquareMassacre in Beijing. The vigil was for the first time banned by the Hong Kong police in 2020. It is still uncertain that whether the annual rally could be held in 2021.
The four pro-democracy activists admitted to joining the rally and were remanded in custody. In the courtroom, Joshua Wong yelled, "Even if we cannot change the world, don't let the world change us."
The 24-year-old Wong is currently serving his sentence for surrounding the police headquarters during the #AntiELAB protest, while being additionally charged with other offences connecting to the primary election and June 4th #vigil.
Source: Stand News #Mar30
https://bit.ly/333JeXD
#PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #47Democrats
#JoshuaWong: Don't Let the World Change Us
In almost 2 years since the Anti-ELAB movement broke out in 2019, Hong Kong's representative figures of the pro-democracy "resistance" camp are either in jail or in exile.
Among them, former lawmaker #EddieChu, former journalist #GywnethHo, district councillors #LesterShum and #TiffanyYuen have been detained and denied bail since late February 2021. They are among the 47 pro-democracy activists arrested for joining the primary election in 2020.
Former chair of #Demisisto #NathanLaw and former spokesman for the Hong Kong Higher Institutions International Affairs Delegation (#HKIAD) #SunnyCheung have to sever ties with their family in Hong Kong and live in exile.
On March 30, 2021, district councillor #JannelleLeung and activist Joshua Wong, alongside Shum and Yuen, were trialed for taking part in an "unauthorised assembly" on #June4 in Victoria Park in 2020.
They were among 24 pro-democracy figures who were charged for participating in the annual candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims of the 1989 #TiananmenSquareMassacre in Beijing. The vigil was for the first time banned by the Hong Kong police in 2020. It is still uncertain that whether the annual rally could be held in 2021.
The four pro-democracy activists admitted to joining the rally and were remanded in custody. In the courtroom, Joshua Wong yelled, "Even if we cannot change the world, don't let the world change us."
The 24-year-old Wong is currently serving his sentence for surrounding the police headquarters during the #AntiELAB protest, while being additionally charged with other offences connecting to the primary election and June 4th #vigil.
Source: Stand News #Mar30
https://bit.ly/333JeXD
#PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #47Democrats
立場新聞 Stand News
【六四集會案】黃之鋒岑敖暉等 4人認罪 梁凱晴首次還押 5.6 判刑 官：社服令不適合 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
去年6.4集會，24 名民主派人士被控煽惑他人參與未經批准集結等罪。其中黃之鋒、岑敖暉、袁嘉蔚及梁凱晴 4 人...
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #PoliticalProsecution
HK Court Denies Bail for 36 in #47Activists Case, Assigned Judge: "Five Demands" Endander NationalSecurity
Among the 47 pro-democracy activists facing allegations of “conspiracy to commit subversion” in connection with a legislative primary election in Hong Kong in 2020, 36 of them have been denied bail.
'#LongHair' Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, who are the vice-chairmen of the League of Social Democrats, were among the 36 who were denied bail.
Both of them applied for bail at Hong Kong's High Court earlier, but Judge Esther Toh Lye-ping , the designated judge of the National Security Law, refused to grant them bail and ordered to hold them back in custody.
The senior counsel Hectar Pun representing Leung and Sham pointed out that they have never advocated "Hong Kong independence", colluded with foreign forces or requested sanctions against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, nor did they sign the "No Regrets" online statement.
Pun also said that Leung's local ties are strong, he has recently gotten married and is suffering from coronary heart disease, so the risk of absconding is low.
Moreover, Sham has always been active in the local #LGBT community, he married his partner who is also a Hong Kong resident in 2013, so Sham has no interest in leaving Hong Kong.
The judge issued her reasons on May 13, 2021, claiming there was no good reason to believe the two would not continue to act against national security.
The judge cited that the Department of Justice's arguments against bail, saying that Sham still stated he would continue to fight for the "#FiveDemands", in front of the police station upon his arrival on Feb 28, 2021. This indicated that there was no reason to believe he would not continue to endanger national security.
Source: InMedia #May13
https://bit.ly/3bqpwdh
#47Democrats #JimmySham #LeungKwokHung #Bail #PoliceState
HK Court Denies Bail for 36 in #47Activists Case, Assigned Judge: "Five Demands" Endander NationalSecurity
Among the 47 pro-democracy activists facing allegations of “conspiracy to commit subversion” in connection with a legislative primary election in Hong Kong in 2020, 36 of them have been denied bail.
'#LongHair' Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, who are the vice-chairmen of the League of Social Democrats, were among the 36 who were denied bail.
Both of them applied for bail at Hong Kong's High Court earlier, but Judge Esther Toh Lye-ping , the designated judge of the National Security Law, refused to grant them bail and ordered to hold them back in custody.
The senior counsel Hectar Pun representing Leung and Sham pointed out that they have never advocated "Hong Kong independence", colluded with foreign forces or requested sanctions against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, nor did they sign the "No Regrets" online statement.
Pun also said that Leung's local ties are strong, he has recently gotten married and is suffering from coronary heart disease, so the risk of absconding is low.
Moreover, Sham has always been active in the local #LGBT community, he married his partner who is also a Hong Kong resident in 2013, so Sham has no interest in leaving Hong Kong.
The judge issued her reasons on May 13, 2021, claiming there was no good reason to believe the two would not continue to act against national security.
The judge cited that the Department of Justice's arguments against bail, saying that Sham still stated he would continue to fight for the "#FiveDemands", in front of the police station upon his arrival on Feb 28, 2021. This indicated that there was no reason to believe he would not continue to endanger national security.
Source: InMedia #May13
https://bit.ly/3bqpwdh
#47Democrats #JimmySham #LeungKwokHung #Bail #PoliceState
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"
Part 1 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.
On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]
"That year, the feeling of hopelessness led to a wave of student suicides. One youth after another became overwhelmed by the feeling of darkness as they could not see their future, and ended their brief lives.
One of my best friends was among them; he departed suddenly, without leaving a word behind. After that, I spent countless days and nights curled up on my bed, watching countless sunrises and sunsets outside my window, berating myself for being unable to prevent the tragedy from happening.
It was then that I began to doubt the phrase 'determining my own destiny'. No matter how my self-determined spirit struggles, it could not slow down the fall and corruption of this land by even a little bit.
So I began to think that, in this cruel society, self-determination was probably only an absurd joke.
I was caught up in all these depressing emotions when I came to find Buddhism. I reached a relevation one day, and understood that all things came from dependent arising, and are emptiness by nature; whether times are good or bad, nothing is permanent, and nothing lasts forever.
From this, I learned to put aside my own preconceptions, and let go of my own honor and disgrace. I no longer worry whether every effort I paid would be rewarded. I only concern myself with whether what I think and do are improving myself, those around me, and the world I live in. The past cannot be changed; the present is bound by the past; but the future is determined by our choices today.
Even though much of the world is beyond our control, even beyond our knowledge, we can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment. Perhaps this is what 'determining my own destiny' really meant. This is how, through faith, I found the strength to carry on living, and the courage to meet my own future destiny."
Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0
#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"
Part 1 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.
On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]
"That year, the feeling of hopelessness led to a wave of student suicides. One youth after another became overwhelmed by the feeling of darkness as they could not see their future, and ended their brief lives.
One of my best friends was among them; he departed suddenly, without leaving a word behind. After that, I spent countless days and nights curled up on my bed, watching countless sunrises and sunsets outside my window, berating myself for being unable to prevent the tragedy from happening.
It was then that I began to doubt the phrase 'determining my own destiny'. No matter how my self-determined spirit struggles, it could not slow down the fall and corruption of this land by even a little bit.
So I began to think that, in this cruel society, self-determination was probably only an absurd joke.
I was caught up in all these depressing emotions when I came to find Buddhism. I reached a relevation one day, and understood that all things came from dependent arising, and are emptiness by nature; whether times are good or bad, nothing is permanent, and nothing lasts forever.
From this, I learned to put aside my own preconceptions, and let go of my own honor and disgrace. I no longer worry whether every effort I paid would be rewarded. I only concern myself with whether what I think and do are improving myself, those around me, and the world I live in. The past cannot be changed; the present is bound by the past; but the future is determined by our choices today.
Even though much of the world is beyond our control, even beyond our knowledge, we can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment. Perhaps this is what 'determining my own destiny' really meant. This is how, through faith, I found the strength to carry on living, and the courage to meet my own future destiny."
Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0
#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "I see hope...many people are still striving for Hong Kong"
Part 2 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.
On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]
Previously, Part 1:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29797
"...As stated in my case, I was arrested during a protest on Oct 20, 2019, which was 576 days ago.
During this period of time, nearly ten thousand citizens had come under arrest due to the movement or other political reasons. More and more people are forced to leave Hong Kong, with no chance in sight for their return.
This development is surely the opposite of the outcome that many had hoped for: 'determining our own destiny', or democratic self-governance.
After my arrest, a police officer asked me mockingly: What did I feel I've achieved by taking to the streets?
Thinking back now, over these 576 days, it certainly seemed like I've achieved nothing, except losing more and more fellow students and friends. Undoubtedly, this caused me more pain than the court case now being brought against me.
However, different from the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in the years past, today I do not feel hopeless at all, and have not given up on my belief in 'determining our own destiny'.
These 576 days had been long and full of changes. There had been trauma and pain, but at the same time, I see hope. Because I know that, outside of the courts and prisons, out of sight of others, many people are still striving quietly for Hong Kong, taking up the fight in place those who have fallen.
Local business owners absorb losses to make their Hong Kong brands shine; artists and creative minds are working day and night to reclaim the city's coveted reputation of 'number one in Asia'.
These Hongkongers are full of life and dreams, and I can feel the immeasurable bravery and wisdom in them. Before such great people, I feel humble, and have no more excuses to wallow in self-pity.
They make me firmly believe that this city is not fated to spiral downward forever; this city will create infinite possibilities for the future."
Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0
#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "I see hope...many people are still striving for Hong Kong"
Part 2 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.
On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]
Previously, Part 1:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29797
"...As stated in my case, I was arrested during a protest on Oct 20, 2019, which was 576 days ago.
During this period of time, nearly ten thousand citizens had come under arrest due to the movement or other political reasons. More and more people are forced to leave Hong Kong, with no chance in sight for their return.
This development is surely the opposite of the outcome that many had hoped for: 'determining our own destiny', or democratic self-governance.
After my arrest, a police officer asked me mockingly: What did I feel I've achieved by taking to the streets?
Thinking back now, over these 576 days, it certainly seemed like I've achieved nothing, except losing more and more fellow students and friends. Undoubtedly, this caused me more pain than the court case now being brought against me.
However, different from the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness in the years past, today I do not feel hopeless at all, and have not given up on my belief in 'determining our own destiny'.
These 576 days had been long and full of changes. There had been trauma and pain, but at the same time, I see hope. Because I know that, outside of the courts and prisons, out of sight of others, many people are still striving quietly for Hong Kong, taking up the fight in place those who have fallen.
Local business owners absorb losses to make their Hong Kong brands shine; artists and creative minds are working day and night to reclaim the city's coveted reputation of 'number one in Asia'.
These Hongkongers are full of life and dreams, and I can feel the immeasurable bravery and wisdom in them. Before such great people, I feel humble, and have no more excuses to wallow in self-pity.
They make me firmly believe that this city is not fated to spiral downward forever; this city will create infinite possibilities for the future."
Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0
#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB
Telegram
📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"
Part 1 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president…
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"
Part 1 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president…
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "No matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny"
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.
On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]
Previously, Part 1:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29797
Part 2:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29805
Part 3:
"...Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus used to say, 'Each generation doubtless feels called upon to reform the world. Mine knows that it will not reform it, but its task is perhaps even greater. It consists in preventing the world from destroying itself.'
Due to historical reasons, our generation has no choice but to be born into a Hong Kong where political rights and the room for free speech are dwindling day by day.
Two summers ago, we chose to fight back against the fate that was forced upon us, demonstrating to the world our determination to take hold of our own destiny. Now is the time that we take up the responsibility for our choice.
The world is changing, perhaps for better, or perhaps it is crumbling. But no matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny:
we all hold fast to our own duties in our own ways, striving to create a new, beautiful era that we can truly call our own."
Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0
#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "No matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny"
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president of the Students' Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK). The letter was submitted to the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on May18, 2021, where the 22-year-old Au was trialed for "participating in an unauthorized assembly", "possessing weapons" and "obstructing justice" among other charges in a pro-democracy protest on October 20, 2019.
On the same day in court, Au has been convicted and the court will deliver his sentence on June 2, 2021.]
Previously, Part 1:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29797
Part 2:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/29805
Part 3:
"...Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus used to say, 'Each generation doubtless feels called upon to reform the world. Mine knows that it will not reform it, but its task is perhaps even greater. It consists in preventing the world from destroying itself.'
Due to historical reasons, our generation has no choice but to be born into a Hong Kong where political rights and the room for free speech are dwindling day by day.
Two summers ago, we chose to fight back against the fate that was forced upon us, demonstrating to the world our determination to take hold of our own destiny. Now is the time that we take up the responsibility for our choice.
The world is changing, perhaps for better, or perhaps it is crumbling. But no matter what awaits us in the future, I believe that our generation is one who determines our own destiny:
we all hold fast to our own duties in our own ways, striving to create a new, beautiful era that we can truly call our own."
Source: InMedia #May18
https://bit.ly/3tQqQg0
#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliticalSuppression #PoliceState #HongKongProtests #AntiELAB
Telegram
📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"
Part 1 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president…
#HongkongersVoice #Letter
Former #StudentsUnion President #OwenAu: "We can still strive for the future we want by our actions from moment to moment"
Part 1 / 3
[Editor's note:
The following is a letter written by Owen Au Cheuk-hei, the former president…
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner
#Letter from Jailed Activist #FigoChan: "As long as we keep our faith, we can advance through adversity together"
Figo Chan, League of Social Democrats committee member and vice-convener of Civil Human Rights Front, was handed a heavy sentence of 18 months for organising a march on Oct 1 2019, which the police deemed an unlawful assembly.
Before his sentence was announced, Chan wrote an open letter to Hong Kongers to thank them for giving their all to fight for democracy, freedom, human rights and justice.
He also said that, although Hong Kongers have a tough road ahead, “don’t forget, the seeds we've sown will certainly lead to a harvest in the future."
In the letter he wrote on May 22, 2021, Chan thanked Hong Kongers for their effort that raised worldwide attention to the Anti-ELAB movement and forced the government to withdraw the act. He felt “proud and touched”.
He also mentioned, although more and more activists are sentenced to prison for violating the National Anthem Ordinance and the National Security Law, Hong Kongers should persist in their belief.
“The road to democracy is very long. As long as we keep our faith, we can advance through adversity together. One day, we will meet again under the pot (Legislature Council Complex)."
Now that Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) is facing the risk of being banned by the government, Chan said that although he is being imprisoned, “I still insist that CHRF will not disband until the end. I also hope everyone will still keep fighting for Hong Kong, and speak up on June 4, July 1, etc on behalf of the arrested, exiled, in the name of freedom”.
In closing, he wrote: “There is hope as long as we are still here. Five demands, not one less! May glory be to Hong Kong.”
Source: Apple Daily #May28
https://bit.ly/2RQxGVP
#PoliceState #Court #NeverGiveUp #AntiELAB #HongKongProtests
#Letter from Jailed Activist #FigoChan: "As long as we keep our faith, we can advance through adversity together"
Figo Chan, League of Social Democrats committee member and vice-convener of Civil Human Rights Front, was handed a heavy sentence of 18 months for organising a march on Oct 1 2019, which the police deemed an unlawful assembly.
Before his sentence was announced, Chan wrote an open letter to Hong Kongers to thank them for giving their all to fight for democracy, freedom, human rights and justice.
He also said that, although Hong Kongers have a tough road ahead, “don’t forget, the seeds we've sown will certainly lead to a harvest in the future."
In the letter he wrote on May 22, 2021, Chan thanked Hong Kongers for their effort that raised worldwide attention to the Anti-ELAB movement and forced the government to withdraw the act. He felt “proud and touched”.
He also mentioned, although more and more activists are sentenced to prison for violating the National Anthem Ordinance and the National Security Law, Hong Kongers should persist in their belief.
“The road to democracy is very long. As long as we keep our faith, we can advance through adversity together. One day, we will meet again under the pot (Legislature Council Complex)."
Now that Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) is facing the risk of being banned by the government, Chan said that although he is being imprisoned, “I still insist that CHRF will not disband until the end. I also hope everyone will still keep fighting for Hong Kong, and speak up on June 4, July 1, etc on behalf of the arrested, exiled, in the name of freedom”.
In closing, he wrote: “There is hope as long as we are still here. Five demands, not one less! May glory be to Hong Kong.”
Source: Apple Daily #May28
https://bit.ly/2RQxGVP
#PoliceState #Court #NeverGiveUp #AntiELAB #HongKongProtests
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #PoliticalProsecution
Pro-democracy Singer Anthony Wong in Face of Political Suppression: "Sing on and Hang on, Hongkongers"
The authotities pressed charges on Hong Kong Cantopop star Anthony Wong and former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin for "corruption" in connection to the Legislative Council by-election in 2018.
The ICAC claimed that Wong sang two songs at a rally organised by Au, who later won the election.
In court on August 5, 2021, The defence lawyer emphasized that Wong was not paid for the performance.
The prosecution then changed their tone and agreed to offer no evidence against Wong and Au. In the end, the court decided that the two would be bound over for 18 months in the sum of HK$2,000. Wong's charges would then be dismissed.
As a Cantopop icon and celebrity, Wong has been outspoken for his pro-democracy stance; while Au is already in prison for charges in related to the pro-democracy movement. Au is also one of the 47 democrats accused of violating the #NationalSecurityLaw for participating in the pro-democracy camp primaries in 2020.
Outside the court, Anthony Wong responded to media inquiry with a Cantopop song called "Ask me" written by legendary lyricist James Wong in 1976. In the part sung by Wong, the lyrics goes: "No matter how right or how wrong I am, I will face the outcome wholeheartedly; facing the world, whatever it comes, I am being myself."
Wong then told Hongkongers to "sing on and hang on".
Source: Stand News; RTHK #Aug5
https://fb.watch/7bpd6k0e-3
#Cantopop #AnthonyWong #AuNokHin #ICAC
Pro-democracy Singer Anthony Wong in Face of Political Suppression: "Sing on and Hang on, Hongkongers"
The authotities pressed charges on Hong Kong Cantopop star Anthony Wong and former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin for "corruption" in connection to the Legislative Council by-election in 2018.
The ICAC claimed that Wong sang two songs at a rally organised by Au, who later won the election.
In court on August 5, 2021, The defence lawyer emphasized that Wong was not paid for the performance.
The prosecution then changed their tone and agreed to offer no evidence against Wong and Au. In the end, the court decided that the two would be bound over for 18 months in the sum of HK$2,000. Wong's charges would then be dismissed.
As a Cantopop icon and celebrity, Wong has been outspoken for his pro-democracy stance; while Au is already in prison for charges in related to the pro-democracy movement. Au is also one of the 47 democrats accused of violating the #NationalSecurityLaw for participating in the pro-democracy camp primaries in 2020.
Outside the court, Anthony Wong responded to media inquiry with a Cantopop song called "Ask me" written by legendary lyricist James Wong in 1976. In the part sung by Wong, the lyrics goes: "No matter how right or how wrong I am, I will face the outcome wholeheartedly; facing the world, whatever it comes, I am being myself."
Wong then told Hongkongers to "sing on and hang on".
Source: Stand News; RTHK #Aug5
https://fb.watch/7bpd6k0e-3
#Cantopop #AnthonyWong #AuNokHin #ICAC
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Hongkongers #Court
Pro-democracy Citizen vows: I will be among the last ones to leave Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the first case of the #NationalSecurityLaw was trialed without jury but judges appointed by the authorities in late July, 2021. The Court put 24-year-old #TongYingKit behind bars for 9 years for "inciting secession and committing terrorist activities".
Disappointed by a trial without jury, some citizens found it still a “fortunate case” with a so-called “lenient” sentence term as many are anticipating a prison term for no less than 10 years.
Tong’s supporters said their support will continue, no matter how long it will be.
Outside the courtroom, around 50 citizens gathered to see Tong off. Among them, Jason said he couldn’t enter the viewing gallery to hear the trial, although he came half an hour earlier to queue for tickets.
Jason told reporters that although he has a Thai heritage which gives him a natural “exit plan” to leave Hong Kong at any time he wants, he finds root in Hong Kong. “I will be among the last ones to leave this city.”
Looking around at other supporters of Tong Ying-kit, Jason said he still has hope for Hong Kong, “some people might think I am naïve, but I see solidarity among pro-democracy supporters and there remains hope for Hong Kong.”
In the past two years, Jason has been following up on court cases and supporting those pro-democracy protesters being arrested and trialed. He refuted the rumors on social media that there were only few supporters in the court room to show support to every protester.
Jason claimed that he will not give up but live his life to witness the change. He asked HongKongers to hang on and support each other, “In this losing battle, what's better than supporting each other till the end?”
Source: InMedia; #Jul30
https://bit.ly/2WD0lQj
#Conviction #HongKongProtest #Hope
Pro-democracy Citizen vows: I will be among the last ones to leave Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the first case of the #NationalSecurityLaw was trialed without jury but judges appointed by the authorities in late July, 2021. The Court put 24-year-old #TongYingKit behind bars for 9 years for "inciting secession and committing terrorist activities".
Disappointed by a trial without jury, some citizens found it still a “fortunate case” with a so-called “lenient” sentence term as many are anticipating a prison term for no less than 10 years.
Tong’s supporters said their support will continue, no matter how long it will be.
Outside the courtroom, around 50 citizens gathered to see Tong off. Among them, Jason said he couldn’t enter the viewing gallery to hear the trial, although he came half an hour earlier to queue for tickets.
Jason told reporters that although he has a Thai heritage which gives him a natural “exit plan” to leave Hong Kong at any time he wants, he finds root in Hong Kong. “I will be among the last ones to leave this city.”
Looking around at other supporters of Tong Ying-kit, Jason said he still has hope for Hong Kong, “some people might think I am naïve, but I see solidarity among pro-democracy supporters and there remains hope for Hong Kong.”
In the past two years, Jason has been following up on court cases and supporting those pro-democracy protesters being arrested and trialed. He refuted the rumors on social media that there were only few supporters in the court room to show support to every protester.
Jason claimed that he will not give up but live his life to witness the change. He asked HongKongers to hang on and support each other, “In this losing battle, what's better than supporting each other till the end?”
Source: InMedia; #Jul30
https://bit.ly/2WD0lQj
#Conviction #HongKongProtest #Hope
獨立媒體
【國安法首案】唐英傑囚九年 市民寄語互相扶持 「輸嘅話點解唔可以陪對方行到最尾？」 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
【獨媒報導〗 首宗《國安法》案件，24歲青年唐英傑因「煽動他人分裂國家」及「恐怖活動」，今於高等法院被判囚9年。有市民原預料會判十多年，坦然對裁判無希望，認為判九年已是「不幸之中的大幸」，他不會忘記唐英傑，希望唐英傑知道，「仲有我依個小市民會一直陪住佢，無論過幾多年都好」， 判刑後，近百警力在金鐘截查市民，約50名市民站在法院附近商場內，隔著玻璃遙
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Art #Exibition #Court
Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal Dissipating in the Water in #HongKongArtists' #Scupture
Situated in Bilchenton-on-Sea in North-eastern #Kent in England, a place not familiar to many Hong Kong people, an exhibition is taking place in a local museum from Monday, August 23, 2021, onwards.
Exhibits include art pieces from two Hong Kong artists. Among them are #LauYatWai's ceramic sculptures titled “Mute Tumult of Memories”. The scupture portrays the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong dissipating in the water.
Graduated from the School of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University (#HKBU) in 2011, Lau specializes in ceramics.
Lau and his teacher #YiLaiKeung worked in partnership with two #UK artists specialising in sound effect to create their joint artwork during a remote residency hosted by #TheCeramicHouse.
Their work will be shown in the "No Interdependent Origins" exhibition from August to October, 2021 in the Powell-Cotton Museum in the #UnitedKingdom.
Source: Stand News; #Aug19
https://bit.ly/3j8fvWy
#ProtestArt #Installation #UK #HongKongCourt #Scupture #NoInterdependentOrigins #PowellCottonMuseum
Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal Dissipating in the Water in #HongKongArtists' #Scupture
Situated in Bilchenton-on-Sea in North-eastern #Kent in England, a place not familiar to many Hong Kong people, an exhibition is taking place in a local museum from Monday, August 23, 2021, onwards.
Exhibits include art pieces from two Hong Kong artists. Among them are #LauYatWai's ceramic sculptures titled “Mute Tumult of Memories”. The scupture portrays the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong dissipating in the water.
Graduated from the School of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University (#HKBU) in 2011, Lau specializes in ceramics.
Lau and his teacher #YiLaiKeung worked in partnership with two #UK artists specialising in sound effect to create their joint artwork during a remote residency hosted by #TheCeramicHouse.
Their work will be shown in the "No Interdependent Origins" exhibition from August to October, 2021 in the Powell-Cotton Museum in the #UnitedKingdom.
Source: Stand News; #Aug19
https://bit.ly/3j8fvWy
#ProtestArt #Installation #UK #HongKongCourt #Scupture #NoInterdependentOrigins #PowellCottonMuseum
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#PoliticalProsecution
Former Reporter Charged with Rioting in Hong Kong: Losing the 612 Fund is Like Losing a Backing
Since 2019, the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund have been providing financial support to the pro-democracry protesters arrested in the #AntiELAB movement in Hong Kong. On August 18, 2021, the Fund annouced that they would suspend their operation. Their record shows that there are still 1,274 ongoing cases as of May 2021.
Ari (a pseudonym), who was previously a #AppleDaily reporter and currently unemployed, was charged with rioting during the AntiELAB movement in 2019. She is one of the arrested persons receiving support from the 612 Fund.
She described the 612 Fund as a firm backing the arrested people who were unsure about their future and struggle to live normally. The Fund relieved part of their financial burden; however, after the suspension of the Fund, Ari would hesitate before filing a legal review, if she would be convicted.
Source: InMediaHK #Oct02
https://bit.ly/3aoZeY3
#612Fund #612HumantarianReliefFund #Court #Freedom #Trial #Riots #Appeal
Former Reporter Charged with Rioting in Hong Kong: Losing the 612 Fund is Like Losing a Backing
Since 2019, the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund have been providing financial support to the pro-democracry protesters arrested in the #AntiELAB movement in Hong Kong. On August 18, 2021, the Fund annouced that they would suspend their operation. Their record shows that there are still 1,274 ongoing cases as of May 2021.
Ari (a pseudonym), who was previously a #AppleDaily reporter and currently unemployed, was charged with rioting during the AntiELAB movement in 2019. She is one of the arrested persons receiving support from the 612 Fund.
She described the 612 Fund as a firm backing the arrested people who were unsure about their future and struggle to live normally. The Fund relieved part of their financial burden; however, after the suspension of the Fund, Ari would hesitate before filing a legal review, if she would be convicted.
Source: InMediaHK #Oct02
https://bit.ly/3aoZeY3
#612Fund #612HumantarianReliefFund #Court #Freedom #Trial #Riots #Appeal
獨立媒體
【牆外的人5】失業記者身負暴動罪：失612似失去後盾 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
（獨媒報導） 8 月 18 日，為反送中被捕者提供經濟援助的 612 人道支援基金，宣佈將停止運作。根據 612 提供的數據，截止 5 月尾，尚有 1,274 宗案件未結案，而受支援的還柙者、在囚者和他們的親友，以
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#TonyeeChow #Court
Hong Kong Judge Questions Arrested Pro-democracy Barrister: Can You Access Internet in Jail?
Barrister Tonyee Chow Hang-tung is a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong and the former Vice Chairperson of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. The now-disbanded Alliance was known for organizing the annual June 4 vigil in Hong Kong to commemorate the victims of the Tianamen Square Massacre in Beijing in 1989.
She was arrested for state subversion by the Hong Kong authority.
The authority accused her of calling on citizens to participate in June 4th commemorative event in 2020, which was banned by the government. Chow was charged with "inciting others to participate in an unauthorised assembly".
The case was heard in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts by Judge Chan Wai-mun on October 5, 2021.
Chow, who has been detained since her arrest, stated that she would defend herself and make her own statement. She will argue whether it is constitutional to restrict the dispute to freedom and whether the related article she disseminsted can ce considered as an "incitement".
Due to the limited resources she has when on remand, Chow asked for one to two weeks' time for preparation.
The Judge then questioned her, “Where did you find the law books in jail? Can you access Internet?” The query made citizens attending the session laughed.
Chow responded that she would rely on her professional knowledge of law and seek help from friends.
Source: Stand News #Oct5
https://bit.ly/2ZXtBCZ
#June4 #HKASPDMC #Vigil #TiananmenSquareMassacre #Internet #ChowHangTung #CivilSociety #Law #Alliance
Hong Kong Judge Questions Arrested Pro-democracy Barrister: Can You Access Internet in Jail?
Barrister Tonyee Chow Hang-tung is a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong and the former Vice Chairperson of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. The now-disbanded Alliance was known for organizing the annual June 4 vigil in Hong Kong to commemorate the victims of the Tianamen Square Massacre in Beijing in 1989.
She was arrested for state subversion by the Hong Kong authority.
The authority accused her of calling on citizens to participate in June 4th commemorative event in 2020, which was banned by the government. Chow was charged with "inciting others to participate in an unauthorised assembly".
The case was heard in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts by Judge Chan Wai-mun on October 5, 2021.
Chow, who has been detained since her arrest, stated that she would defend herself and make her own statement. She will argue whether it is constitutional to restrict the dispute to freedom and whether the related article she disseminsted can ce considered as an "incitement".
Due to the limited resources she has when on remand, Chow asked for one to two weeks' time for preparation.
The Judge then questioned her, “Where did you find the law books in jail? Can you access Internet?” The query made citizens attending the session laughed.
Chow responded that she would rely on her professional knowledge of law and seek help from friends.
Source: Stand News #Oct5
https://bit.ly/2ZXtBCZ
#June4 #HKASPDMC #Vigil #TiananmenSquareMassacre #Internet #ChowHangTung #CivilSociety #Law #Alliance
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court
No Regrets to Civil Disobedience after "Watching my Fears Become Reality": #FigoChan and 7 Pro-Dem Leaders Plead Guilty to Unlawful Assembly
Figo Chan, former convenor of Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), pleaded guilty to participating and organizing an unlawful assembly on July 1, 2020, the day on which the National Security Law took effect.
Also charged were 7 other pro-democracy leaders, including former legislators Leung Kwok-hung (#LongHair), Wu Chi-wai, and Eddie Chu.
Their case was heard in court on October 7, 2021. Among the eight being charged, seven of them pleaded guilty to the charges, in obedience of the principles of civil disobedience.
In his petition to the court, Chan said that after watching videos of that day's protests, he felt that Hong Kong had become unfamiliar since that day.
"[Hong Kong] only permits voices that support the government, and continually suppresses those who do not," he said. "As a result, numerous political parties and civic organizations disband one after another, Hongkongers have left the city in droves, and freedom and rights due to citizens are gradually disappearing."
"Looking back and watching my fears become reality, how could I regret speaking up through peaceful civil disobedience and protest?"
"May Hongkongers keep hope in our hearts", he added. "Let's hang on to each other and get through these difficult times."
Source: Stand News #Oct7
https://bit.ly/3uQwy3m
#CivilDisobedience #NationalSecurityLaw #July1March #Solidarity
No Regrets to Civil Disobedience after "Watching my Fears Become Reality": #FigoChan and 7 Pro-Dem Leaders Plead Guilty to Unlawful Assembly
Figo Chan, former convenor of Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), pleaded guilty to participating and organizing an unlawful assembly on July 1, 2020, the day on which the National Security Law took effect.
Also charged were 7 other pro-democracy leaders, including former legislators Leung Kwok-hung (#LongHair), Wu Chi-wai, and Eddie Chu.
Their case was heard in court on October 7, 2021. Among the eight being charged, seven of them pleaded guilty to the charges, in obedience of the principles of civil disobedience.
In his petition to the court, Chan said that after watching videos of that day's protests, he felt that Hong Kong had become unfamiliar since that day.
"[Hong Kong] only permits voices that support the government, and continually suppresses those who do not," he said. "As a result, numerous political parties and civic organizations disband one after another, Hongkongers have left the city in droves, and freedom and rights due to citizens are gradually disappearing."
"Looking back and watching my fears become reality, how could I regret speaking up through peaceful civil disobedience and protest?"
"May Hongkongers keep hope in our hearts", he added. "Let's hang on to each other and get through these difficult times."
Source: Stand News #Oct7
https://bit.ly/3uQwy3m
#CivilDisobedience #NationalSecurityLaw #July1March #Solidarity