Last week, the Hong Kong Alliance and its three leaders, Lee Cheuk-yan, Jimmy Lai, and Albert Ho, who have already been disbanded, were ruled by the Hong Kong court to have violated the Chinese Communist Party’s constitution by advocating for the end of one-party rule, leading to the conviction of “inciting subversion of state power.” Today (28th), the court listened to the pleas of the three in regards to sentencing, but Jimmy Lai was repeatedly interrupted during his plea. In a statement posted online, Jimmy Lai made it clear that advocating for the end of one-party rule is a responsibility, and he would rather be a “criminal” than betray his conscience.
The Hong Kong Alliance, along with its former chairman Lee Cheuk-yan, former vice-chairman Albert Ho, and Jimmy Lai, were charged with “inciting subversion of state power.” While the Alliance, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Jimmy Lai pleaded not guilty, they were found guilty last Friday (21st). All the defendants, including Albert Ho who had previously pleaded guilty, made pleas in court today, with many citizens waiting outside to listen, and diplomats from various countries were also present. The judge stated that sentencing would be announced within two weeks after hearing the pleas.
During his plea, Jimmy Lai reiterated that he does not believe he has done anything wrong and emphasized that seeking democracy is not a crime. However, he was repeatedly interrupted by the judge. Jimmy Lai bluntly stated that the ruling in this case is essentially saying that “advocating for democracy is a crime,” and he does not agree that any political party should have the sovereignty of the state handed over to them and claim to be the sole leaders. Judge Li Yunteng immediately interrupted Jimmy Lai’s plea, stating that such remarks should be made on a “second occasion.”
Jimmy Lai responded by expressing the hope that the court would understand the defendants’ beliefs, but Judge Li Yunteng reiterated that the court must remain impartial in its rulings and insisted that the remarks should be made on a “second occasion.” Jimmy Lai said she believes dictatorship is wrong, and democracy is right.
In response, Judge Li Yunteng argued that staying within one’s beliefs without taking action would not constitute “incitement,” and he asked Jimmy whether she still does not think she is wrong and if she still plans to plead for leniency. Jimmy replied that she will not use the word “pleading.”
The full text of Jimmy Lai’s plea was publicly released online at noon local time today.
In her plea, Jimmy Lai stated that “believing in democracy and opposing one-party rule” is her belief. She believes that if the law contradicts one’s conscience, it is ultimately the law that loses its legitimacy. She argued that the law should not only emphasize the will of the authorities and obedience but should also consider the ethical issues behind relevant political beliefs.
Regarding the belief in “ending one-party rule,” she expressed that it is not just her personal belief, and she mentioned that there have always been supporters for this cause at the annual memorial events organized by the Hong Kong Alliance in Victoria Park over the years.
She also refuted the prosecution and court’s interpretation of related statements as “spreading hostility,” asserting that the pursuit of democracy does not need to rely on hatred or an us vs. them mentality but can be achieved through facts and reasoning.
When asked whether the plea today in court requires seeking forgiveness or apologizing for past actions, Jimmy Lai declined. She stated that seeking forgiveness or apologizing for what she believes in would be irresponsible to her beliefs and to those who share similar beliefs. She said, “I will not do that.”
She pointed out that even the perpetrators of the “Tiananmen Square Massacre” have not come out to apologize, so why should she? Even in a topsy-turvy world, she should not apologize for the wrongdoings of the authorities and become part of the distortion.
Jimmy Lai emphasized that she would not reevaluate her past actions using the language and concept of “crime.” If the court ultimately decides that the case is “serious,” she may even view it as a form of affirmation because it indicates that she did take action in the past.
She stated that she has “no regrets at all” for the path she and the Hong Kong Alliance and the people of Hong Kong have taken. The only ones she hopes to seek forgiveness from are her family and those who love her because they are the ones truly affected.
She expressed that whether she is in prison or outside of it in the future, she will continue to strive for the release of democracy activists, vindication of the June 4th Movement, holding accountable those responsible, and “ending one-party rule, building a democratic Hong Kong and China.” She referred to this commitment as something she has openly made several times in the past.
In conclusion, she stated that if standing by these beliefs would make her a “perpetual criminal” and the law cannot accommodate these beliefs, she would “rather be a criminal than a person who betrays her conscience.” The plea ends with the phrase “candlelight like the sea, hearts becoming waves, bodies hitting the shore, never resting until justice is served.”
The Hong Kong Alliance’s full name is “Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.” It was officially established during the million-person march in Hong Kong supporting the June 4th Movement on May 21, 1989, with Szeto Wah as its first chairman. The Alliance has been organizing memorial events for the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown for years until it was banned by the Hong Kong government in 2020 under the pretext of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September 2021, Lee Cheuk-yan, Jimmy Lai, and Albert Ho were officially charged, and the Alliance passed a resolution to dissolve at the end of that month.