Emily Fang

It tells us that what was once this lively, often rambunctious civil society in Hong Kong is now entirely leaderless because almost all of the most influential activists there are now facing years more behind bars. Among those sentenced today was Joshua Wong. You may recognize him when he was just a teenager.

It tells us that what was once this lively, often rambunctious civil society in Hong Kong is now entirely leaderless because almost all of the most influential activists there are now facing years more behind bars. Among those sentenced today was Joshua Wong. You may recognize him when he was just a teenager.

It tells us that what was once this lively, often rambunctious civil society in Hong Kong is now entirely leaderless because almost all of the most influential activists there are now facing years more behind bars. Among those sentenced today was Joshua Wong. You may recognize him when he was just a teenager.

He was leading big protests demanding direct democratic elections back in 2014 and what's now called the Umbrella Movement. Well, he's facing multiple charges, but today he just got another four-year, eight-month sentence. And another person who got sentenced today is Benny Tai.

He was leading big protests demanding direct democratic elections back in 2014 and what's now called the Umbrella Movement. Well, he's facing multiple charges, but today he just got another four-year, eight-month sentence. And another person who got sentenced today is Benny Tai.

He was leading big protests demanding direct democratic elections back in 2014 and what's now called the Umbrella Movement. Well, he's facing multiple charges, but today he just got another four-year, eight-month sentence. And another person who got sentenced today is Benny Tai.

He's a former professor who really conceptualized the umbrella movement, veteran protest organizer, and he got the longest sentence today for organizing that 2020 primary. He is facing a decade behind bars.

He's a former professor who really conceptualized the umbrella movement, veteran protest organizer, and he got the longest sentence today for organizing that 2020 primary. He is facing a decade behind bars.

He's a former professor who really conceptualized the umbrella movement, veteran protest organizer, and he got the longest sentence today for organizing that 2020 primary. He is facing a decade behind bars.

So today's sentencing really shows how worn down these activists are as well because among the 45 sentenced, about three-fourths of them pled guilty because they wanted to reduce their sentence times. They've been waiting almost four years behind bars already.

So today's sentencing really shows how worn down these activists are as well because among the 45 sentenced, about three-fourths of them pled guilty because they wanted to reduce their sentence times. They've been waiting almost four years behind bars already.

So today's sentencing really shows how worn down these activists are as well because among the 45 sentenced, about three-fourths of them pled guilty because they wanted to reduce their sentence times. They've been waiting almost four years behind bars already.

Has the Chinese government responded in some way to this? They've stayed quiet today, but their line has been unequivocal from the start. In Beijing's view, the people arrested under this national security law are troublemakers. They are criminals who incited violent protests that diminished Hong Kong as a global financial center.

Has the Chinese government responded in some way to this? They've stayed quiet today, but their line has been unequivocal from the start. In Beijing's view, the people arrested under this national security law are troublemakers. They are criminals who incited violent protests that diminished Hong Kong as a global financial center.

Has the Chinese government responded in some way to this? They've stayed quiet today, but their line has been unequivocal from the start. In Beijing's view, the people arrested under this national security law are troublemakers. They are criminals who incited violent protests that diminished Hong Kong as a global financial center.

And so they've applauded the security law that's nabbed these 45 people and said it is a much needed measure to return Hong Kong to order.

And so they've applauded the security law that's nabbed these 45 people and said it is a much needed measure to return Hong Kong to order.

And so they've applauded the security law that's nabbed these 45 people and said it is a much needed measure to return Hong Kong to order.

There will likely not be protests. We've seen what happened to people who have continued to protest. They are mostly now in prison. So likely no public defiance, but perhaps some private defiance. Gwyneth Ho, who rose to prominence as a journalist and then became an activist, she was one of the people sentenced today with a seven-year prison sentence.

There will likely not be protests. We've seen what happened to people who have continued to protest. They are mostly now in prison. So likely no public defiance, but perhaps some private defiance. Gwyneth Ho, who rose to prominence as a journalist and then became an activist, she was one of the people sentenced today with a seven-year prison sentence.