Patriotism in Hong Kong is on trial

Three former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance are due to stand trial this week on charges of "inciting subversion of state power," after the group was forced to disband amid allegations it acted as an "agent of foreign forces." The Alliance had organized annual Victoria Park candlelight vigils to mark the 1989 Tiananmen events.

Three former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China are due to go on trial this week on charges of "inciting subversion of state power." The Alliance had long organized annual candlelight vigils in Victoria Park to remember the 1989 Tiananmen events, and those public commemorations became a visible part of Hong Kong civic life. Authorities later moved against the Alliance, saying it acted as an "agent of foreign forces," and members were arrested under the National Security Law imposed in 2020. The author recalls personal encounters at the vigils and describes how those public acts of remembrance have become constrained. Known details: - Three former Alliance leaders named in the article are Albert Ho, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, and they face charges that carry up to 10 years in prison. - The trial for the three leaders is scheduled to begin on Thursday. - The Hong Kong Alliance was forced to disband amid allegations it was an "agent of foreign forces," and several members were arrested under the 2020 National Security Law. - The Alliance had hosted annual Victoria Park candlelight vigils that became a longstanding public commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen events, with the 2019 gathering noted as the last large public vigil described in the piece. Summary: Officials have said the Alliance acted as an "agent of foreign forces," which led to its disbanding and arrests under the 2020 National Security Law. Three former leaders are charged with "inciting subversion of state power" and are due to stand trial on Thursday. The trial will determine the legal outcomes for those charged.