Jimmy Lai Granted Bail

Jimmy Lai waves to an Apple Daily reporter at his home

The breaking news today that Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying was granted bail was surprising considering he is being charged under the national security law. Most thought Lai's chances of ever stepping out of prison again were next to nil.

This development gives hope to three others charged under the national security law -- Tang Ying-kit, Tony Chung Hon-lam and Adam Ma -- to try to get bail too as now there is a precedent.

Lai walks out of the Court of Final Appeal...

Lai's lawyers were able to get a temporary release just in time for Christmas, but there are some serious strings attached to his home arrest.

He is not allowed to publish anything on social media, or publish any articles, not to meet any foreign government officials, take any media interviews, or host interviews. The newspaper tycoon also had to post HK$10 million (US$1.29 million) in bail, and three guarantors had to pony up HK$100,000 each. 

In addition Lai also had to give up his passport and has to report to the police three times a week and can only leave his home to attend court hearings.

Lai was remanded in custody since December 3 when he and two others were charged with fraud for allegedly breaching land lease terms on the use of Next Digital's office space in Tseung Kwan O. He was later charged with collusion under the national security law.

The Department of Justice immediately applied for a certificate from the court to appeal against the bail decision at the Court of Final Appeal, but this was later rejected by the High Court which said it did not have the jurisdiction.

... and into his waiting car to take him home

There was a lot of media attention around Lai's release, as reporters and photographers waited for hours for Lai to be released from the Court of Final Appeal in Admiralty. After 9pm a woman wearing police identification tags told reporters he wouldn't be released until 11pm so everyone disappeared for their washroom/food break.

But at 10.52pm Lai finally walked out with two plastic bags holding his personal belongings and was escorted by two men into his Mercedes Benz. About 20 minutes later cameras were pointed at the road coming up to his home in Homantin. Lai looked busy on his phone and wore headphones in the front passenger seat.

Afterwards he thanked the media for coming but said he had to leave and went into his house.

It turns out some of these conditions conditions of house arrested were suggested by Lai's lawyers, perhaps in a bid to get home home to his family for as long as possible.

 

 

Students Keep Protest Momentum Going

Even Mickey Mouse with an eye patch was out protesting this morning

Early this morning before class, thousands of students from at least 100 schools joined hands in front of their institutions and chanted slogans in a bid to get attention from Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Much like the human chain that spread across Hong Kong on August 23, the students joined hands -- or if they were too shy to hold hands, they held a pen or poster between them and shouted, "All five demands, not one less!" that is one of many slogans in the anti-government protests.

Students hold hands outside St Paul's Co-education College

The students were from such schools as St Paul's Co-educational College, St Stephens College, Pui Ching Middle School, Wa Ying College, King's College, True Light Girls' College, Heep Yunn School, Wah Yan College and Diocesan Girls' School.

The largest student chain was made up of students from 18 schools in Yau Ma Tei, Homantin, and Tokwawan, while others were from Wong Tai Sin to Tsz Wan Shan, from Yau Ma Tei to Prince Edward, and in Central and Western District.

A student surnamed Li said: "We must protect our home despite our limited strength. Therefore we launched an action called 'The Road to Freedom' connecting a 5km chain through Tokwawan, Homantin and Yau Ma Tei. When injust is a fact, revolution becomes a right. We must stand with Hong Kong pople and never stand down until the five demands are achieved.

Students in Wan Chai formed a human chain

It wasn't just students taking part, but also parents and alumnae of the various schools.

Parent Sammy Lee said he had to support his son, as it was his first time taking part in a social movement. "I think in the future, as a Hong Kong resident, he will understand there are various ways to pursue justice. Don't look down at the subtle power of students. They can also express their demands intelligently."

One male student who wore a tear gas mask, goggles and helmet wasn't optimistic that Lam would give into the other four demands, but felt protesters should continue to do whatever they can for now.

But even younger kids have taken part too. This was from the rain-soaked August 18 march when 1.7 million people took part. Love this kid.

AUG 18/A child standing in a foot bridge leads the protesters to chant slogan:”Hongkongers, keep going”.1.7 million take part in the demonstration in downtown Hong Kong Sunday to press their demands over the No China Extradition bill. (EYEPRESS TV) pic.twitter.com/QovyBIBQWG

— EYEPRESS NEWS (@eyepressnews) August 18, 2019

Picture of the Day: Church for the Disabled

Located along a busy road in Kowloon is this church... for the disabled...

Yesterday I went to Homantin in Kowloon for an appointment and got there by taxi because it's not near the MTR station. Afterwards I walked along Princess Margaret Road and came across this Catholic church.

It's not just a church -- it's one for the disabled. But how is it accessible when it is located along a thoroughfare with no parking nearby and the only way to get there is by taxi or bus?

However more importantly, if God is inclusive, why a church specifically for the disabled? How are their services different from able-bodied parishioners?

I tried to find more information online and the only thing I could find was its address and times of services.

This place just brings up more questions than answers...