In the latest act of repression from the Hong Kong government, which recently presided over the expulsion of pro-democracy 'opposition' lawmakers from its Legislative Council, activists Agnes Chow and Joshua Wong have been sentenced to prison time for their roles in the 2019 pro-democracy movement.
Wong on Wednesday was sentenced to 13.5 months in jail, while Chow was given 10 months.
Wong also faced other protest-related charges tied to "Unauthorized" assemblies in October 2019 and on June 4, 2020, when Hong Kongers gathered to commemorate the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre, officially known in China as "The June 4th incident".
Chow is also accused of inciting secession, a charge under the new national security law, which could lead to her extradition to mainland China to face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Before a hearing on Monday, Wong, who first came to international prominence for his role in the 2014 Umbrella movement demanding universal suffrage in the city-state, vowed to continue his activism despite the "Political suppression" he faced under Hong Kong authorities, and the Beijing-imposed 'national security' law that was effectively bolted on to Hong Kong's constitution by the CCP earlier this year.
"I want to be frank that, in the face of uncertainties, I just feel uneasy and anxious," Wong wrote in an open letter penned during his detention.
Wong also called attention to the plight of 12 Hong Kong activists who were arrested this past summer and detained in mainland China after attempting to flee to Taiwan by boat.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Hong Kong Activists Joshua Wong & Agnes Chow Jailed For Defying Beijing
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