Hong Kong vigil organizer says she sought democracy, not end to Communist Party leadership

Chow Hang-tung told a Hong Kong court that the alliance's call to 'end one-party rule' meant democratization, not removing the Communist Party's leadership. She is on trial under the national security law while other former alliance leaders face related charges or pleas.

Chow Hang-tung told a Hong Kong court that the alliance's call to "end one-party rule" was a call for democratization rather than a move to remove the Communist Party's leadership. She is defending herself in a trial under the national security law that has been used against activists since 2019. The Hong Kong Alliance had organized annual Tiananmen Square vigils for decades but disbanded after its leaders were prosecuted and the event was banned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key details: - Chow is charged with inciting subversion under a national security law enacted after 2019 protests and has been defending herself in court. - The prosecution has argued that the alliance's demand to end one-party rule meant ending the Communist Party's leadership; Chow disputed that interpretation. - The alliance organized Victoria Park vigils for about 30 years until the event was banned during the pandemic and the group voted to disband in September 2021. - Co-defendants include Lee Cheuk-yan, who pleaded not guilty, and Albert Ho, who pleaded guilty in a separate hearing. Summary: The trial is ongoing with Chow defending herself and seeking to admit expert evidence as part of her case. The next procedural steps are undetermined at this time.