Hongkongers Rallied in London to Support Primary Election Defendants

Over a hundred Hongkongers rallied in Parliament Square in support of the defendants in the Hong Kong primary election case, in London, on April 23. Audrey Lee/The Epoch Times/UK

The trial of 47 people accused of violating the “Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL)” and “conspiring to subvert state power” because of their involvement in the pro-democracy primary election, is continuing. Following last weekend’s multi-country show of solidarity with the accused, more than 100 Hongkongers marched, rallied, and stood silently in central London on April 23 to support the accused in the primary election case, and demanded the release of all political prisoners, calling on the public to pay more attention to the situation in Hong Kong.

Yesterday’s event was part of a joint campaign by overseas Hongkongers in Europe, America, Australia, and Canada to promote the “No Guilt in the Primary Election—Joint Action in Support of the 47 Case in Hong Kong.” More than a hundred demonstrators first gathered under Waterloo Bridge and gave a speech, and then marched along the Thames in the rain, passing through Westminster Bridge until Parliament Square.

The demonstrators held up banners with slogans “Release Hong Kong Political Prisoners,” “China (CCP) Kills People, Human Rights, and Democracy, Threats to the World,” and the “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time” flags. Simon Cheng, founder of Hongkongers in Britain, said in his speech that the entire world has seen a decline in Hong Kong’s freedom. The United Kingdom has an obligation to safeguard the freedom of Hong Kong people due to past historical ties. It is especially important for people who share common values to unite and never let the people fall aside for the words they have spoken, the flags waved, the songs sung, and the beliefs they uphold.

He pointed out that Christopher Hui Ching-yu, Secretary for Financial Affairs and the Treasury, recently visited the United Kingdom, hoping to strengthen economic cooperation, as if nothing had happened. But there are still a lot of people who continue to fight for the fair and democratic society they crave for. He also said that even if he does not live in Hong Kong now, he still cares about Hong Kong people. As long as one person is imprisoned for his thoughts, he will still stand up and speak out for them until they are all released.

Demonstrators put on “V for Vendetta” Masks

Many people present wore “V for Vendetta” masks featured in the 2006 film. Cheng said that this is due to the “Hong Kong National Security Law” has granted itself universal jurisdiction rights, including London. The [Hong Kong] authorities can still monitor and target the relevant people as one way to stoke up fear.

One demonstrator wearing a “V for Vendetta” mask said that he “has no more rights to speak out” in Hong Kong. While in the UK, he will provide his “support whenever he has the chance,” so he participated in today’s event. Another Hongkonger who marched with the “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time” flag said, “If we don’t come, who else will come? He said that he often explained to the locals why so many Hong Kong people moved to the UK and about the evil deeds of the CCP. Many older people he came across seem to know quite a lot about the situation in Hong Kong, while the younger generations are not so sure. That is why he also tried to explain to the youngsters whenever possible.

Hongkongers: CCP’s Charging of the Primary Election an Attempt to Silence Hong Kong

Ivan, a Hong Kong resident in the UK, said that participating in the event is to show that Hong Kong has the right to elect its own representatives. He said that the primary election is an election free for everybody, without any screening in place, and allows Hong Kong people to elect their own representatives. But the CCP suppressed it through the National Security Law to make no one dare to speak out for Hong Kong.

While the 47 people lost their freedom, he enjoys democracy and freedom overseas, he feels he has the responsibility to speak out for the future of Hong Kong. He said that many people in Hong Kong “can’t even name an incumbent member of the Legislative Council,” which means that they were hand-picked by the CCP and have no legality and authorization from the public.

Tom, who has lived in Hong Kong for 30 years, attended the event wearing a sweater with the words “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time.” He called himself a “White Hongkonger.” He and his coffee shop supported the anti-extradition movement. After leaving Hong Kong due to immense pressure, he decided to come forward again after nine months. He said that he hoped by participating in the event, he would arouse the attention of the outside world for those in prison.

A British media person who has worked in Hong Kong for seven years said that she left Hong Kong in 2018, but she also knows that the political situation in Hong Kong has changed a lot. The international media have moved their employees from Hong Kong to other places in Asia because of the NSL. She thinks Hong Kong, like mainland China, is a difficult place for journalists.

Hongkongers in London Work Hard to Expose Hong Kong’s Injustice to the World

Lee Wing-tat, the former chairperson of the Democratic Party, also participated in the event, said, “The 47 people are innocent.” He tried his best to attend the rallies overseas and hoped that the world will pay attention to the injustice of the trial in progress. He explained that the Hong Kong system has deteriorated “to the point where we don’t understand it anymore, and it doesn’t conform to the principles of universal values we believe in. Not only is there no democracy, there is also no freedom,” and sometimes there are indiscriminate arrests. When asked about the role of speaking out to the British government, Lee said that everyone is working hard within their own circle. The Hong Kong people in London have worked hard to expose the injustice, arrests, and detentions in Hong Kong to the world.

Benson Wong Wai-kwok, an independent scholar of cultural studies and political science in Hong Kong, said that the trial of the 47 defendants was conducted without the rule of law and not under reasonable circumstances. And Hong Kong people should support all activities in showing solidarity with the defendants. He said that it is “basically impossible” for the judges of the NSL to conduct a fair trial. Instead, the most important thing he hopes is that during the trial, the [fliped] prosecution witnesses will not do things against their conscience just because they want to reduce their own sentences.

Volunteers: Locals Take the Initiative to Understand

One volunteer who was responsible for distributing leaflets at the event said that many of his team members explained the situation in Hong Kong to local Londoners present, and the locals were willing to receive leaflets. He said that some locals saw the frequent gatherings of Hong Kong people and took the initiative to learn about the situation from them. He would explain the charges against the 47 people and their latest fate, explain why he supported them, and point out to them that “China (the CCP) is no different from Russia, and see what Russia is doing now. So, it is not at all surprising to see what the CCP will do to Taiwan tomorrow.” Some locals also asked what they could do to help, and he called on them to spread the word to those around them about what is happening.

This campaign featuring the theme “No Guilt in the Primary Election—Joint Action in Support of the 47 Case in Hong Kong” organized a total of 22 rallies and gatherings, including standing in silence, one person, one letter, and the like from April 15 to 23, in the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Taiwan, and Australia.