2019 Hong Kong Protests & Unrest | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP

Protests erupted in June 2019 over a since-axed extradition bill. They escalated into sometimes violent displays of dissent against police behaviour, amid calls for democracy and anger over Beijing’s encroachment. Demonstrators demanded an independent probe into police conduct, amnesty for those arrested and a halt to the characterisation of protests as “riots.”

Media mogul Jimmy Lai’s firms helped protesters get global campaign off ground in 2019, court hears

Andy Li, one of the 12 Hongkongers caught by the Chinese coastguard in a foiled attempt to flee for Taiwan by speedboat in August 2020, took the witness stand on Wednesday.

by Hans Tse 15 hours ago21:13, 13 March 2024

Storming of Hong Kong’s legislative complex in 2019 ‘a desperate outcry’ and ‘not an impulsive act,’ court hears

Detained activists Owen Chow and Ventus Lau gave their mitigation speeches on Monday after earlier pleading guilty to rioting. Both were admonished by the judge for expressing “political” opinions.

by Kelly Ho 16:20, 11 March 202416:20, 11 March 2024

Hong Kong’s top court to hear appeal from 7 veteran democrats over 2019 protest conviction

Veteran democrat Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, along with ex-lawmakers Lee Cheuk-yan, Margaret Ng, Leung Kwok-hung, Cyd Ho, and Albert Ho, will have their challenge heard at the Court of Final Appeal on June 24.

by James Lee 10:45, 6 March 202410:45, 6 March 2024

Hong Kong gov’t slams self-exiled democrat Ted Hui over ‘intimidating’ public officers

The government on Monday said Ted Hui had “blatantly clamoured for so-called ‘sanctions’ and doxxing against dutiful HKSAR officials in an attempt to intimidate” judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers.

by Hans Tse 19:19, 4 March 202419:55, 4 March 2024

8 jailed for up to 3 years and 9 months over 2019 protest in Hong Kong

The judge said protesters set fire and threw objects during the lunchtime demonstration in 2019, held as the city was months into the anti-extradition unrest.

by Hillary Leung 16:25, 4 March 202416:25, 4 March 2024

Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai was sympathetic towards frontline ‘valiant’ protesters in 2019, court hears

by Hans Tse 18:36, 1 March 202417:49, 4 March 2024

4 Hong Kong men jailed for up to 3 years and 2 months over chat group calling for killing of police, anti-epidemic personnel

by Hillary Leung 18:15, 1 March 202418:37, 1 March 2024

Hong Kong democracy activist ‘Grandpa Chan’ charged with breaching country park rules over banners atop Lion Rock

by Hillary Leung 18:07, 29 February 202418:07, 29 February 2024

Hong Kong’s Apple Daily ran criticism of gov’t not just for ‘sake of criticising,’ defence says in Jimmy Lai trial

by Hans Tse 20:19, 27 February 202417:49, 4 March 2024

hong kong protests archive mobilisation map

2019 Features

‘I go almost every day’: The elderly Hong Kong democracy advocates following 2019 protest court cases

by Hillary Leung 10:00, 13 February 202418:02, 9 February 2024

A taste of home: How Hongkongers overseas preserve and adapt the city’s famed cuisine

by Irene Chan 10:00, 10 February 202415:06, 15 February 2024

the five demands

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – halt the characterisation of protests as ‘riots’

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – universal suffrage

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – amnesty for all arrested protesters

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – an independent investigation into police behaviour

Explainer: Hong Kong’s Five Demands – withdrawal of the extradition bill

Features on the 2019 protests

Article 23 then and now: What changed between 2002 and 2024, as Hong Kong’s local security law is resurrected

10:30, 4 February 202418:52, 4 February 2024

‘A national security city’: Hongkongers question need for domestic security law, saying ‘more pressing matters’ at hand

12:00, 3 February 202417:20, 4 February 2024

‘I am Taiwanese now’: Hongkongers who have moved to the democratic island cherish their right to vote

15:51, 13 January 202415:33, 1 February 2024

HKFP Yum Cha: 20 years on, Regina Ip says the time has come for Hong Kong’s own security law

10:00, 24 December 202312:23, 29 December 2023

Closely-watched national security trial of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai finally set to start

13:00, 17 December 202317:56, 4 March 2024

Explainer: What is Hong Kong’s Gay Games and why has it seen so much controversy?

10:00, 29 October 202317:15, 27 October 2023

Donation at centre of HKU ‘misconduct’ scandal came from firm under US import ban over alleged forced Uyghur labour

11:00, 21 October 202314:46, 21 October 2023

Finding the space to speak: Journalism professor Francis Lee on navigating Hong Kong’s changing media landscape

23:00, 7 October 202311:08, 9 October 2023

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2019 Protests Explained

Data analysis: How Hong Kong convicted 200 people for rioting during the 2019 protests and unrest

Shifting Narratives: From ‘violent attack’ to ‘gang fight’ – How the official account of the Yuen Long mob attack changed

Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 1

Hong Kong democrat primaries in full: Young ‘localist resistance camp’ come out on top

Explainer: 10 things to know about Hong Kong’s national security law – new crimes, procedures and agencies

Explainer: From ‘five demands’ to ‘independence’ – the evolution of Hong Kong’s protest slogans

Explainer: The hidden differences between Hong Kong police rifles

Explainer: Hong Kong police top brass embroiled in property scandals

Explainer: Why China-made tear gas is more dangerous

Explainer: Beijing’s 5-day crackdown on Hong Kong’s opposition during covid-19

Explainer: What can Hong Kong’s democrats do with their new District Council majority?

Explainer: Aggressive policing creates rifts in Hong Kong’s civil service, with firefighters caught in fallout

Explainer: ‘Renovation’, ‘decoration’ and ‘fire magic’ – the businesses targeted by Hong Kong’s hit-and-run protesters

Explainer: ‘The Communist Party’s Railway’ – How Hong Kong’s once-respected MTR fell afoul of protesters

Explainer: Know your rights at Hong Kong protests: FAQ with the Progressive Lawyers Group

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COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS on 2019

Hong Kong gov’t uses 2019 protests to justify new security legislation without fully learning from them

“In the Article 23 consultation document authorities offer their interpretation of 2019 without considering the government’s role in triggering the protests, the underlying causes of discontent in Hong Kong, the role of civil society, and the role of ‘external forces,’ ” writes John Burns.

12:30, 18 February 202414:21, 18 February 2024

Universal Children’s Day: Post-Covid, Hong Kong must ensure children’s rights, let them be heard, and tackle self-harm

“Under the current sensitive political atmosphere, conditions of these children are even more difficult to comprehend… Children’s voices are not easy to be heard – though their problems have increased,” writes Billy Wong of the Hong Kong Committee on Children’s Rights.

18:19, 20 November 202318:20, 20 November 2023

If computer games are making Hong Kong kids miserable, make the real world a more attractive place to live

“Inside your computer is a world whose rules you understand, which behaves in a predictable way and responds to your controls. With care and attention you can be a winner,” writes Tim Hamlett. “Outside your computer is a world which has no time for you …”

11:00, 22 July 202314:28, 14 July 2023

Hong Kong District Councils: Where has public opinion gone?

“To shut out the voices of ordinary people in the lowest level advisory committees, which is after all what the District Councils are, seems like an unwise move,” writes John Burns.

10:00, 14 May 202311:57, 15 June 2023

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