Arrests of pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai and pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow shows how swiftly the brutal CCP will wipe away freedom.
The remnants of democracy and freedom in Hong Kong are being dismembered as you read these words.
Under the new ‘national security law,’ which eliminates free expression, eliminates free speech, and puts all Hong Kong residents under the oppressive boot of the Chinese Communist Party, there have been multiple high-profile arrests of pro-democracy campaigners in just the last 24 hours.
First, Jimmy Lai – a pro-democracy tycoon who owns Apple Daily, which regularly supported democracy – was arrested for “colluding” with foreign forces.
Hong Kong police escorted pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai through the newsroom of his Apple Daily newspaper, as around 200 officers searched the office of the tabloid publication and removed boxes of evidence https://t.co/SulI7RKV7w pic.twitter.com/T78iPoGiVG
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 10, 2020
Then, Agnes Chow, a pro-democracy activist – was arrested for ‘suspicion of violating’ the national security law.
BREAKING: #HongKong police have arrested pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow on suspicion of violating the national security law, local media report. Photo: @chowtingagnes pic.twitter.com/fo9DDSqf8N
— Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@HongKongFP) August 10, 2020
Clearly, a crackdown on any remaining pro-democracy activists and influential people is underway, ostensibly ‘justified’ by the ‘national security law.’
This is exactly what had been warned about, and what everyone feared.
“I have feared that one day the Chinese Communist Party would grow tired not only of Hong Kong’s free press but also of its free people. That day has come.”
In Opinion
The Hong Kong police on Monday arrested the publisher Jimmy Lai. In May, Lai wrote, "I have feared that one day the Chinese Communist Party would grow tired not only of Hong Kong’s free press but also of its free people. That day has come."https://t.co/DYFMMgUHCd pic.twitter.com/rMCSsbH8jY
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 10, 2020
China has blatantly violated the ‘one country, two systems’ agreement that was supposed to be in place for many more decades, and is opposing their totalitarian regime on the formerly free city of Hong Kong with stunning speed.
Already, many activists in Hong Kong are seeking to flee, others have scrubbed their social media profiles, and a veil of fear has descended upon Hong Kong, as China snuffs out the last embers of liberty.
There is something extra perverse when authoritarians round up the sons and daughters of their target as well. Jimmy Lai has shown he's willing to give up his wealth, his freedom, for his convictions. So they go after the only thing that might break him: his children.
— Melissa Chan (@melissakchan) August 10, 2020
This is a common tactic of authoritarians everywhere, but Beijing has a long history of this because they know it often works. For those who remain immovable despite the peril to their loved ones, the activists live with that guilt, trauma, and are permanently damaged.
— Melissa Chan (@melissakchan) August 10, 2020
Hong Kong (I hope) isn’t there yet, but they’ve been cases where Beijing would torture the son or daughter in the next jail cell so the activist could hear, to break them. There is no more apt word to describe this as anything but evil.
— Melissa Chan (@melissakchan) August 10, 2020
As we watch this, we must give credit to the immense bravery shown by Hong Kong’s democracy activists, who put everything at risk for freedom even in the face of a brutal authoritarian state intent on crushing them.
At this point, anyone who watches what is happening and still doesn’t think we must distance ourselves from China can only be seen as a stooge for the CCP regime.
Spencer Fernando
Photo – Twitter
