Rights activists in Hong Kong face trial over protests
HONG KONG — Hong Kong protest leaders who went on trial Monday for spearheading pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 said their prosecution threatens the future of civil rights in the territory, where fears have grown of Beijing’s growing influence.
“What is on trial is not just the nine of us. What is on trial also is the high degree of autonomy and the rule of law that all Hong Kong people are entitled to,” said defendant and University of Hong Kong law Professor Benny Tai at a news conference following the first day of the trial.
The “Occupy Central” movement was founded in March 2013 by professors Benny Tai and Chan Kin-man and a retired pastor, Chu Yiu-ming. They campaigned for free elections of Hong Kong’s top leader.