Hong Kong: hundreds of people gathered in support of indicted opponents
Hundreds of protesters came to support pro-democracy activists indicted in court in Kowloon West, Hong Kong, March 1, 2021. AP - Vincent Yu
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The former British colony briefly returned to its long tradition of demonstrations on Monday, March 1.
Several hundred sympathizers came to support the 47 pro-democracy activists indicted for "subversion" under the new national security law, imposed last year by Beijing to silence the opposition.
The almost permanent assembly bans, ordered to fight against the coronavirus, had allowed the authorities to prevent almost all attempts to demonstrate.
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With our correspondent in Hong Kong,
Florence de Changy
A mess like Hong Kong hasn't seen it for a very long time.
"
Free the political prisoners
," "
Stand up for Hong Kong,
" chanted protesters.
“
Free Hong Kong, the revolution of our time,
” others said, echoing the leitmotif of the 2019 mobilization, a slogan that is now illegal under the National Security Act.
Several hundred sympathizers were mobilized on Monday morning to show their support for the 47 pro-democracy activists arrested this Sunday.
The latter were to hear their formal indictment that same day for "
conspiracy to commit an act of subversion
", one of the four crimes covered by the national security law, punishable by life imprisonment.
The Hong Kong government criticizes them for their role in organizing unofficial primaries in July 2020. But prosecutors seem to believe that wanting to win a majority in Parliament is equivalent to wanting to overthrow the government.
►
See also: Hong Kong: 47 people indicted in the name of the national security law
Three finger hi
This Monday, some of the demonstrators made the three-fingered salute, a symbol of resistance in several Asian countries, such as Thailand and Burma.
Students from a nearby school were also heard giving encouragement to the defendants from the windows of their establishment.
The tension escalated when the police raised the tone, reports our correspondent in Hong Kong,
Florence de Changy
.
The police then brandished banners threatening the demonstrators gathered in front of the Kowloon West court to be arrested immediately, according to the security law, if they did not disperse.
The crowd largely agreed to comply with this injunction.
Some, leaving the scene, did not fail to jostle the police and sing songs.
A small group of government supporters were also outside the courthouse to shout their support for the authorities.
"
Punish traitors severely, enforce the security law and throw them behind bars,
" read one banner.
There were so many defendants in Kowloon courthouse that three courtrooms had been reserved.
After a brief appearance, the hearing was moved to the end of the afternoon.
►
See also: Headlines: Beijing is preparing to change Hong Kong's electoral system
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