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Student Politicism

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Student Politicism
賢學思政
Founded26 May 2020 (2020-05-26)
Dissolved24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
Secretary General
Chan Chi-sum
Leader
Wong Yat-chin
Spokesperson
Wong Yuen-lam
WebsiteStudent Politicism on Facebook
Student Politicism on Instagram

Student Politicism (Chinese: 賢學思政) was a student political group in Hong Kong.[1] Founded on 26 May 2020, the group was one of only few pro-democracy organisations still existing in Hong Kong as of September 2021,[2] before it was dissolved on 24 September 2021 after core members were charged under the National Security Law.

History

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"To test the red line"

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Student Politicism was founded on 26 May 2020,[3] just days after the Chinese Government announced the start of enacting the National Security Law. The group name "賢學思政" was taken from their slogan "賢學啟志 衛民思政", meaning "venerate studying to enlighten mind; defend citizens to ponder politics." Wong Yat-chin, the convenor of the group, once described the value of the group is "to test the red line of the regime",[4] and to “bring hope to people”.[5]

Booth of Student Politicism in February 2021 with Wong Yat-chin (right)

Student Politicism voiced support on the democratization of Hong Kong, aimed to raise the public awareness on education, local culture, and various social issues, including the detainment of 12 Hongkongers in Chinese water, while supporting the jailed protesters by collecting supplies for prisoners and letters of support.[6][7] It gained prominence after frequently setting up street booths to advocate their ideas.[8]

Following the imposition of National Security Law in Hong Kong by China, the pro-democracy protests and movements lost the momentum. Student Politicism became one of the few remaining local pro-democracy organisations that continued to run street booths.[9] The core members were repeatedly arrested on suspicion of illegal assembly or sedition,[7] and were warned of possibly breaching the National Security Law by the police.[10][7]

Disbandment and aftermath

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On 20 September 2021, Wong Yat-chin, secretary-general Chan Chi-sum, and former spokeswoman Jessica Chu – who reportedly had left the group[11] – were arrested under the National Security Law.[2] Spokeswoman Alice Wong Yuen-lam was arrested on 22 September after she had reportedly turned herself in at a police station.[12] The police alleged them to have incited hatred against Hong Kong's government by urging people not to use the LeaveHomeSafe Covid tracking app and by other means, in addition to calling to prepare for another "revolution" through martial arts training.[13] Four were taken to court later, charged for inciting subversion, and all denied bail on 21 and 23 September 2021.[14] On 15 October 2021, Chu was granted bail while the other three core members had their bail applications again rejected.[15]

On 24 September, days after the crackdown, the group announced its disbandment, citing the "lack of foreseeable space" to continue its mission.[16]

On 28 July 2022, Wong Yat-chin, Chan Chi-sum, Jessica Chu, and Alice Wong all pleaded guilty to conspiring to incite subversion. Chu applied for her bail to be revoked.[17] The four returned to court on 24 September,[18] on which day the prosecution questioned the credibility of the mitigation submission of Wong Yat-chin, citing a social media post by him.[19]

On 23 October 2022, Wong Yat-chin, Chan and Chu were sentenced to 30 to 36 months in prison, while Wong Yuen-lam was sent to a training centre.[20][21]

References

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  1. ^ Chan, Yun Nam; Cheng, Yut Yiu (2021-09-23). "Hong Kong court denies bail to fourth student activist on 'subversion' charge". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  2. ^ a b Ho, Kelly (2021-09-20). "Hong Kong national security police arrest student group leaders". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  3. ^ 凌逸德 (2021-09-20). "本土派組織賢學思政成立逾年 王逸戰曾稱﹕存在價值是試政權紅線". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  4. ^ "【專訪】賢學思政：我們存在是為了試紅線". Stand News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2021-01-01. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  5. ^ Ho, Kelly (2021-07-10). "Hong Kong Student Politicism activist seeks 'to bring hope' despite multiple arrests". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  6. ^ "賢學思政1小時收40袋物資送在囚人士 80歲婆婆斥林鄭無良心：害到班後生咁慘". Apple Daily. 2020-12-13. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07.
  7. ^ a b c "賢學思政去年5月成立 曾稱「試紅線」屬組織存在價值". Mingpao (in Traditional Chinese). 2021-09-21. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  8. ^ "消息：警方國安處拘賢學思政三人 涉煽動顛覆國家政權". Now News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2021-09-20. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  9. ^ Ho, Kelly (10 July 2021). "Hong Kong Student Politicism activist seeks 'to bring hope' despite multiple arrests". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  10. ^ "警方國安處曾晤學生組織「賢學思政」 成員稱有心理準備坐監、不會流亡". 眾新聞 (in Chinese). 2020-12-29. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  11. ^ Law, Wanessa (2021-09-20). "Hong Kong police arrest three student activists for 'inciting subversion'". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  12. ^ "Fourth Student Politicism activist arrested". The Standard. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  13. ^ Chau, Candice (2021-09-20). "Hong Kong students held for 'inciting subversion,' accused of providing M&Ms for prisoners and of urging people to shun gov't Covid app". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  14. ^ Chau, Candice (2021-09-23). "Hong Kong court denies bail to 19-year-old student leader over national security charge". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Archived from the original on 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  15. ^ Ho, Kelly (15 October 2021). "Security law: Ex-Student Politicism spokesperson granted bail, three others remain in custody pending trial". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Student Politicism disbands after NSL arrests". RTHK. 2021-09-25. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  17. ^ Chau, Candice (29 July 2022). "4 ex-leaders of defunct Hong Kong activist group Student Politicism plead guilty to conspiring to incite subversion". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Hong Kong activists face years in jail for subversion". France 24. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  19. ^ Chau, Candice (2022-09-25). "Credibility of mitigation from ex-leader of Hong Kong activist group Student Politicism questioned in national security case". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  20. ^ "4 from pro-independence Hong Kong student group get jail and detention". South China Morning Post. 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  21. ^ "前「賢學思政」成員認顛覆罪 3人囚30至36個月 1人判入教導所". on.cc東網 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
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