Prominent Hong Kong democracy activist Huang Zhifeng and three others pleaded guilty in court Monday (Nov. 23, 2020) to inciting and participating in a rally that was not authorized by authorities, and could face jail time as a result. But all three young men said they will continue to fight in the face of white terror under the National Security Law.
Former Hong Kong People’s Volunteers Secretary-General Wong Chi-fung, Chairman Lam Long-yen and member Chow Ting appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face charges of inciting and participating in an unauthorized rally that surrounded police headquarters on June 21 last year.
After the trial, the trio met with a large crowd of journalists waiting outside the courtroom.
I believe Hong Kong already has an answer to the question of whether the siege of the police headquarters was a crime or a necessary act to seek justice and fight for democracy,” Lin said. We have no regrets about our struggle and will continue to persevere.”
Huang Zhifeng said the three chose to plead guilty to all charges, which meant they could have been remanded to serve their sentences that day. He said, “Faced with the suppression of the National Security Law and the advent of the White Terror, we will not give up, even though we face imprisonment. We also call on Hong Kong people to support each other in the trough of the pro-democracy movement.”
Chow Ting also said, “Of course I have a lot of anxieties about the future, including the upcoming verdict, but I hope we will not forget that there are many brothers and sisters who may have sacrificed more than us and who may be facing even more difficult situations.”
All three men were taken into police custody shortly after meeting with the media and are awaiting sentencing in court next Wednesday.
The Hong Kong government attempted to amend an extradition ordinance last year, triggering a huge demonstration that lasted several months.
On June 30 of this year, the Beijing authorities forcibly enforced Hong Kong’s law on the maintenance of national security, citing the need to safeguard national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, causing the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement to quickly cool down and pro-democracy groups, including the Hong Kong Public Chi, to immediately announce their dissolution.
This move by the Chinese regime was widely condemned by the United States and the international community, and resulted in the United States suspending its special treatment of Hong Kong. Beijing rejected these accusations, insisting that Hong Kong affairs were purely an internal matter for China and that no other country had the right to interfere.
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