In this Jun 4, 2021, file photo, people hold LED candles to mark the anniversary of the military crackdown on a pro-democracy student movement in Beijing, outside Victoria Park in Hong Kong. HONG KONG: One of Hong Kong’s most established pro-democracy civic organisations said it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee after Beijing stepped up its crackdown on opposition activity in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China is best known for organising an annual rally and candlelight vigil remembering those killed in the bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.The group said in a statement on Saturday that seven of its 14 remaining steering committee members had decided to step down in the face of “growing political and legal risks”.
Letting go of staff was to “ensure their safety" and would take effect at the end of the month, the statement said. While the 32-year-old group said the changes would affect its operations, it vowed that “regardless of whatever difficulties or challenges we face, the alliance will continue to grit our teeth and move onwards one step at a time".Following months of anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong last year.
Both have been banned for the past two years because of COVID-19 restrictions, and there is no indication whether authorities will allow them to be held in future. While China says the new restrictions are targeted measures aiming to restore order and ensure Hong Kong's future prosperity, critics at home and abroad say they are a betrayal of Beijing's commitment to maintain Hong Kong's civil liberties for 50 years after the handover.
Thank you for supporting Hong Kong. The political oppression is serious and serious but HongKongers will not give up for fighting the freedom. StandWithHongKong
1 country, 2 systems, no future StandWithHongKong
Totalitarian regime CCP repulsive universal values, democracy and freedom They are the obstruction of democratic process and world peace. CCP_is_Terrorist HKPoliceState
Under NSL, Imprisoned without trial. Breathing, memorial and lay flowers as memorial also violates national security laws if you do not kneel down to ccp. HK has not fair judicial system. CCP_is_terrorist HumanRightsViolations OnecountryTwoSystemsIsDead CCPLiedPeopleDied
Tiger12207714 Chinese Communist Party refuses international law, documents and promises. HongKongers are hostages now. FreeHongKong StandWithHongKong HKPoliceState
Some garbage people
Democracy is a lollipop
Get out of HongKong while you still can!
No democracy, no freedom, no rule of law... No way to do business in such place, otherwise your money can be confiscated by the government for no reason
Umamaru5 Hong Kong dictatorship destroyed our democracy, freedom, education, justices and human rights But Hong Kong people never give up Let’s fight against China dictatorship StandWithHongKong
Protesters in HK are now finished by the US democratic politically correct example on Jan 6th in DC on how to treat protesting demonstrators. Slapped terrorist on them, then kill 5 within 6 hours, then chase to imprison them afterwards. No wonder US protested. China too soft.
Jail them for life.
I do not feel free to voice my opinion here. We can’t completely uphold freedom of speech, because the law has changed.
The white terror due to the untouchable red in spreading to whole city.
People have to flee just because they speak out for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong
No more Freedom and Democracy in HongKong now. HK is totally off and become the NewBerlin under the NationalSecurityLaw. OneCountryTwoSystemIsDead. HongKongers, even non-HKer not in HK is suffering in that law. StandWithHongKong FreeHongKong
HMacKeown The regime using national security law to crackdown on pro-democracy movements. The world must wake up to avoid falling into the path of Hong Kong.
finish 'em
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