Hong Kong jails 12 people for storming the legislature during 2019 protests
NPR Online NewsMAR 2024
Hong Kong: 12 Sentenced Over 2019 Pro-Democracy Protests
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The Spin
Pro-China narrative
The 2019 incident was a severe affront to the city's rule of law, posing a direct challenge to the Hong Kong government and its Legislative Council. Those who forced their way into the building, causing extensive damage, were not mere protesters but traitors who must face the repercussions of their unlawful actions.
Anti-China narrative
The government is equally responsible for the 2019 event as it refused to withdraw the controversial extradition bill despite one million Hongkongers marching against it. The legislature, as well as the criminal justice system, continue to treat the pro-democracy protesters extraordinarily harshly. Until the city is given a high degree of autonomy, residents will continue to stand up to preserve their economic and social systems.