151
Today’s @appledaily_hk leads with the national security law’s apparent hardening as it reaches the NPCSC - per Xinhua it will not just criminalise ‘foreign forces’ intervening in HK, but HKers ‘colluding’ with foreign forces too, amid rumours of provision for extradition to 🇨🇳.
152
Today a referendum will be held in HK to determine whether HKers should launch a general strike in opposition to the draconian new national security law.
It’s organised by ‘HK on Strike’, a labour coalition comprising of over 30 trade unions & a school students organisation.
153
Finally Xinhua confirms more details re. the national security law. A Nat Sec Committee to be estab'd in HK, along with an office in Beijing. Cases will be dealt with HK except in undefined 'special circumstances' - so Beijing will have jurisdiction over certain cases. Not good.
154
The pro-🇨🇳 camp has yet again resorted to copycat tactics by copying pro-democracy Lennon Walls that sprung up all over HK last year. Stupid to expect any kind of creativity from supporters of an authoritarian dictatorship I guess.
Compare the 2 for yourself. Vid: @limlouisa
155
Today’s @AppleDaily_HK reports the NPC Standing Commitee will meet in Beijing to pass the HK National Security Law before the anniversary of the handover on July 1st (7.1).
Hong Kong’s reckoning awaits as we wait to see how far Beijing will go once the law is put into effect.
156
If you've developed a sudden urge to contract ear cancer, rabidly pro-🇨🇳 legislator Junius Ho (何君堯) has produced a horrific 'song' praising the proposed HK National Security Law for us to, um, enjoy.
It really is positively tumorous. 願榮光歸香港/Glory to Hong Kong it is not.
157
The SCMP reports the HK government is considering allowing the indefinite detention of suspects without trial in special detention centres under the national security law.
Hong Kong is now a fully-fledged police state. #SOSHK
scmp.com/news/hong-kong…
158
Now @HawleyMO’s bill has passed the Senate, @SecPompeo has announced the U.S. will impose visa restrictions on officials “responsible for eviscerating HK’s freedoms”. @HKHIIAD spox @SunnyCheungky has suggested this will include CE Carrie Lam, Sec of Justice & HK’s Police chief.
159
HK01 reporting HK’s public broadcaster RTHK hasn’t been invited by the government to film the the flag raising ceremony & 🍾 reception on July 1st for the first time, but TVB - criticised by many for excessively pro-🇨🇳 coverage - have. Changing times... hk01.com/%E7%A4%BE%E6%9…
160
Tam Yiu-chung, HK’s sole delegate to the NPCSC (🇨🇳’s top legislative body) is pushing for the national security law to be retroactive & increased sentencing to “enhance its deterrent effect”.
Not only a traitor but someone actively trying to kill off HK.
scmp.com/news/hong-kong…
161
With the HK national security law just days away, yesterday saw 53 arrests, incl. district councillors, the elderly, & a father in front of his child.
Also reports high-profile democrats Joshua Wong & Jimmy Lai will be arrested on July 1st, *the first day the law takes effect*.
162
HK01 reports Edwina Lau (劉賜蕙) will head up what security chief John Lee admitted will be a secret national security police unit. Lau's duties may incl. overseeing indefinite detention of suspects w/out trial in special detention centres under the NS law.hk01.com/%E7%A4%BE%E6%9…
163
HK01 reports sentences under the national security law will come in 3 bands, each with a minimum of 3 yrs, 5 yrs & 10 yrs respectively. Still rumoured HKers face life imprisonment or even the death penalty for the trials that’ll take place in mainland 🇨🇳.
hk01.com/article/491988…
164
Breaking: 🇨🇳 state media Xinhua reports the NPCSC has voted to approve the HK national security law being added to Annex III of the Basic Law - its provisions should be published in The Gazette imminently. Also announced President Xi Jinping has signed the decree ordering it.
165
Breaking: Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has confirmed the national security law will come into effect tonight in a press release welcoming the passage of the law. Publication of the legislation’s provisions is expected in The Gazette at midnight HKT. twitter.com/JackHHazlewood…
166
The HK Police's new national security department is using the Royal HK Police's Special Branch as a template. British colonial administration bodies & laws have repeatedly been used to justify & give cover to Beijing's bastardised versions of them. Thread:news.mingpao.com/pns/%E5%89%AF%…
167
Telegram users have noticed the man who is the first person arrested under the national security law had wrote ‘不要’ or ‘don’t want’ in tiny characters on his Hong Kong independence flag
This will be a case to watch in court. If convicted he will get at least 3 years in prison. twitter.com/hkpoliceforce/…
168
HK riot police officers just charged through the crowd & wrestled a man to the ground on Jardine Street, CWB. One of the officers grabs his neck during the take-down followed by other officers trampling on him.
Normal service has resumed. Vid: HSUSU
169
HKBU student journalists captured the moment a police officer in riot gear forced his foot into the knee joint of a man in custody who was struggling to squat. Treatment like this can be witnessed at literally every protest the police are present at these days. Vid: HKBUSU
170
In CWB a small crowd of people were judged to have violated the national security law by using vulgar language toward police. Riot police used pepper spray at point blank range on people who were pinned up against a wall, on the ground & already in custody. Vid: CBC
171
A number of older people were seen in agony after being targeted with pepper spray by police in CWB. Police regularly use pepper spray indiscriminately against protestors, bystanders and journalists. Pics: CBC
172
In CWB riot police have aimed firearms at members of the public & ordered them to return to the walkway (out of shot) & leave the area. Not immediately clear what ammunition said weapons can fire. Pics: HSUSU
173
A former police officer was detained for a short time before being released for shouting “long live Liverpool!" earlier, celebrating their league title win.
As an Everton fan I believe this was justified action by the police. Support HK Police. Love the motherland. Love HK. 🇨🇳
174
Graphic photos emerging of a journalist who was pepper sprayed by the police next to the Percival Street flyover. Police routinely pepper spray journalists, bystanders and protestors indiscriminately. Pic: HKBU
175
Student reporters from HSU captured the moment HK riot police fired pepper balls inside Times Square & attempted to pursue demonstrators up escalators. People reportedly threw rubbish at them, to which they angrily responded. Vid: HSUSU
前蘋果日報專欄作家. Words/investigations @TheSundayTimes @Telegraph @TheEconomist @ForeignPolicy @Australian etc, docs @PopularFront_