Hong Kong's White Terror

These people ran in the primaries; most were charged today

 

On February 28, 1947, an anti-government uprising in Taiwan was violently quashed by the ruling Kuomintang. There are no definitive reports on how many were killed, ranging from 5,000 to 28,000. It was the start of the White Terror, where thousands of other Taiwanese went missing, died or were imprisoned.

Benny Tai speaks to media outside police station

On February 28, 2021, Beijing via the Hong Kong government charged 47 people with "conspiracy to commit subversion", which violates the national security law.

These people, pro-democracy activists, former lawmakers and district councillors were among the 55 arrested back in early January for organizing the unofficial primaries in its camp to see who would have the highest chance of winning in the Legislative Council elections that were scheduled to be held last September, but the government postponed them because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was hoped that with more pro-democrats in the Legislative Council, they would have the opportunity to veto the budget and force Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to resign -- this is in the Basic Law -- and also to influence the composition of the 1,2000-member election committee that chooses the next chief executive.

Last year's primaries drew over 600,000 voters

Many well-known people are now charged under the national security law, including former lawmaker Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, scholar Benny Tai Yiu-ting, former Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai, Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, and district councillors Lester Shum and Fergus Leung Fong-wai. Activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung and People Power's Tam Tak-chi are also included, though they are already in jail serving time for other sentences.

That primaries vote? Organizer Tai was hoping for 200,000 Hong Kong residents to cast their ballots -- more than three times that amount turned out.

These 47 will face their charge in court tomorrow, but the chances of them getting bail are very very slim; they will probably be remanded into custody until their trials come up.

Basically the government has jailed the political opposition even though they already quit in November.

Clancey was arrested in January, not charged today

American-born lawyer John Clancey, 79, was originally arrested in January and was not charged today but he isn't giving up the fight.

"Most people are ready to sacrifice when they see someone in need," Clancey said outside the police station before his bail appointment. "I think we must maintain the positive view the Hong Kong people have had for so many years of being able to build a better society based on human rights and working for democracy."

Some of those charged were ordered a few days ago to report to the police today, and many said farewell to friends, some posted online they believed they did nothing wrong, nor did they regret their actions, and some bought prison necessities, including sneakers without laces.

Chow had his tattoo done ahead of court hearing

Activist Owen Chow Ka-shing who was charged today seems mentally prepared for the road ahead. On social media he posted a photo of a Buddhist chant newly tattooed on his right arm.

"It looks like the suffering will continue indefinitely," he wrote. "What we need is not imagination about suffering but hope and determination beyond suffering."