HONG KONG – Protest slogans lingered in the streets as about 1,000 people gathered outside a Hong Kong court on Monday over the hearing of 47 democracy activists, who were imposed with charged of conspiracy to commit subversion. Authorities have been intensifying a crackdown on the opposition.
More than 100 police officers were deployed outside the West Kowloon court, in the largest rally this year, even though there were social-distancing rules to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The activists have been accused of organising and participating in an unofficial primary poll last July, which had the strongest candidates for a legislative council election as its target, which the government later postponed, highlighting the coronavirus.
Authorities said the informal poll was part of a plan to “overthrow” the government, This further triggered alarm that Hong Kong has taken authoritarian stand swiftly post imposition of national security law by Beijing on its freest city last June.
Herbert Chow, 57, who was queuing outside the court and wearing a black face mask, “This is the most ridiculous arrest in the history of Hong Kong,” said “But I have confidence in our judicial system to restore justice. It’s the last line of defence.”
Many were seen dressed in black, drawing parallels with the 2019 anti-government protests, while some chanted: “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” and “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong”, which had gone on to become popular slogans during the unrest.
Others demonstrated the three-finger salute, which has become the symbol of protest against authoritarian rule in Myanmar.
The activists, which included 39 men and eight women, aged between 23 and 64, were charged on Sunday under the national security law.
The queue to enter the court extended to around several hundred metres.
Several foreign diplomats were also found to be in line.
Jonathan Williams, a British diplomat at the UK consulate in the city, said: “It’s clear that the use of the national security law is going much broader than the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities promised.”
That said, he added that the UK government had “full faith in the independent judiciary,” to handle defendants on a fair and impartial basis without political pressure.
As crowds gathered outside the court building, some held up large yellow banners with words: “Release all political prisoners now”, on it.
Authorities have said that conducting campaigns to win a majority in Hong Kong’s 70-seat Legislative Council, aimed to block government proposals to speed up pressure for democratic reforms, could be seen as posing threat.
The organiser of the primary election and former law professor Benny Tai, as well as prominent activists Lester Shum, Joshua Wong and Owen Chow were a few, who were charged.
The charges becomes an addition to the blows that have been levelled at the city’s pro-democracy movement.
The suppression of dissent comes as Chinese officials readies to bring electoral reforms, which will most likely further eliminate the role and the extent to which the opposition forces will have an influence in public office.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded the release of the 47 people immediately.
“Political participation and freedom of expression should not be crimes,” Blinken said on Twitter. “The US stands with the people of Hong Kong.”
