HONG KONG – Prominent Hong Kong democracy dissident Joshua Wong has announced that he and two other leading activists will plead guilty today at the opening of a trial over their involvement in last year’s protests, adding that he expects to be jailed.
The city was convulsed by seven straight months of huge and often violent rallies, in which millions took to the streets.
Beijing and local authorities have refused demands for free elections, and have responded with a growing crackdown on democracy supporters.
Wong, 24, is being prosecuted alongside two other well-known dissidents – Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow – over a protest that took place last summer outside city police’s headquarters.
“We three have decided to plead guilty to all charges,” Wong told reporters.
“It will not be surprising if I am sent to immediate detention today.
“We will continue to fight for freedom – and now is not the time for us to kowtow to Beijing and surrender.” – AFP, November 23, 2020
