Nathan Law introduced Thursday he had fled abroad.
Hong Kong:
Nathan Law, certainly one of Hong Kong’s most distinguished younger democracy activists, introduced Thursday he had fled abroad in response to Beijing imposing a sweeping safety legislation on the town.
“I have already left Hong Kong and continue the advocacy work on the international level,” Law stated in a brief English message to journalists, declining to say which nation he had gone to.
“Based on risk assessment, I shall not reveal too much about my personal whereabouts and situation now,” the message added.
The revelation Law had left the town got here because the native authorities launched a press release confirming {that a} well-liked protest slogan used over the past yr was now unlawful below Beijing’s new legislation.
“Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times” has turn into a clarion name for pro-democracy protesters over the past yr, chanted by large crowds and plastered on banners.
For some it represents real aspirations to separate Hong Kong from China. But for a lot of others it’s extra a cry for democracy and expression of rising frustration with Beijing’s rule.
Law had shouted the slogan in a video message to a US Congress committee on Wednesday, not lengthy after the brand new safety laws was carried out.
In a press release, Hong Kong’s authorities stated the phrase was now unlawful as a result of it “contains the indications of Hong Kong independence, or alienating Hong Kong from China, or changing its legal status, or subverting the state”.
It is affirmation that sure peaceable political opinions have turn into unlawful for the reason that legislation got here into impact Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday, the primary arrests had been made below the laws, primarily for protesters present in possession of pro-independence flags or stickers.
Law was a founding member of Demosisto, a pro-democracy celebration that disbanded earlier this week in response to the safety legislation.
The celebration campaigned for democracy and for Hong Kongers to have a better say in how the town is run however they didn’t advocate independence.
Nevertheless, Law and different distinguished celebration members like former pupil chief Joshua Wong had been vilified by Beijing, typically described as “black hands” and separatists who conspired with foreigners to undermine China.
He and Wong each got here family names as pupil leaders throughout democracy protests in 2014.
In a Facebook publish on Thursday, Law described looking at Hong Kong as his airplane flew away.
“As I look down at the magnificence of Hong Kong from the airplane, this image has become one unforgettable scene in my mind,” he wrote.
“I hope the day will come when I can return to Hong Kong again and I can still be that young guy who hasn’t forgotten about his initial aspirations.”
“I wish HongKong all the best, and I hope the glory will return to the city soon,” he added.
