In Hong Kong today, 26 activists accused appeared in court after taking part in a banned vigil to commemorate the protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Among the accused are several prominent members of the Hong Kong democracy movement, including media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai and internationally renowned activist Joshua Wong.
At the hearing in the courtroom, each of the accused was asked if they understood the allegations. „I understand. Shame on political oppression! Release all political prisoners! ”24-year-old Figo Chan replied. The police in Hong Kong banned the Tiananmen vigil on June 4th for the first time in 30 years. The reason given by the police was the assembly restrictions due to the pandemic.
Accused face imprisonment
Specifically, the activists are accused of having attended an illegal gathering with thousands of other people or of inciting others to participate. The accused face prison sentences of up to five years.
In front of the Hong Kong District Court, demonstrators demanded their right to hold vigils to commemorate the bloody suppression of the democracy movement on June 4, 1989 in Beijing. „The repression that the activists suffered on June 4, 1989 is very similar to what the people of Hong Kong have suffered for a year,“ said 63-year-old Lee Cheuk Yan in the courtroom.
With increasing pressure from Beijing on the Special Administrative Region, the symbolic importance of the Tiananmen vigil has increased in recent years. In late June, Beijing passed the „Security Law,“ which undermines Hong Kong’s special status and allows the city’s authorities to crack down on any activity they believe threatens national security.
