٠٠:٠١:٥٤The fifteen opposition activists who were arrested in April over their involvement in 2019's mass protests faced their first day of trial on Monday at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong.
Groups of supporters and counter-demonstrators were seen outside the courthouse holding banners and chanting slogans for their respective causes.
"All of us will not be intimidated by the PRC government, who has destroyed the one country two systems. They have broken the promise to us. We will keep up our fight for the freedom and liberty. I call upon the people in Hong Kong, we all stood together, stand together, and fight for the democracy until the end," said Yeung Sum, a member of the Democratic Party and one of the defendants, in a speech outside the courtroom.
After their courtroom appearance, the group joined their supporters in chanting a familiar slogan from the movement, "Five demands, not one less!"
All of the defendants were granted bail with the trial being adjourned to June 15 at the prosecution's request.
The group faces 58 charges over their alleged roles in organising in taking part in unauthorised demonstrations last year, with some facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
Large-scale protests have mostly subsided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government recently extended its ban on public gatherings until June 4.
Hong Kong: Veteran opposition activists formally charged over role in 2019 protests
The fifteen opposition activists who were arrested in April over their involvement in 2019's mass protests faced their first day of trial on Monday at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong.
Groups of supporters and counter-demonstrators were seen outside the courthouse holding banners and chanting slogans for their respective causes.
"All of us will not be intimidated by the PRC government, who has destroyed the one country two systems. They have broken the promise to us. We will keep up our fight for the freedom and liberty. I call upon the people in Hong Kong, we all stood together, stand together, and fight for the democracy until the end," said Yeung Sum, a member of the Democratic Party and one of the defendants, in a speech outside the courtroom.
After their courtroom appearance, the group joined their supporters in chanting a familiar slogan from the movement, "Five demands, not one less!"
All of the defendants were granted bail with the trial being adjourned to June 15 at the prosecution's request.
The group faces 58 charges over their alleged roles in organising in taking part in unauthorised demonstrations last year, with some facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
Large-scale protests have mostly subsided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government recently extended its ban on public gatherings until June 4.
The fifteen opposition activists who were arrested in April over their involvement in 2019's mass protests faced their first day of trial on Monday at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong.
Groups of supporters and counter-demonstrators were seen outside the courthouse holding banners and chanting slogans for their respective causes.
"All of us will not be intimidated by the PRC government, who has destroyed the one country two systems. They have broken the promise to us. We will keep up our fight for the freedom and liberty. I call upon the people in Hong Kong, we all stood together, stand together, and fight for the democracy until the end," said Yeung Sum, a member of the Democratic Party and one of the defendants, in a speech outside the courtroom.
After their courtroom appearance, the group joined their supporters in chanting a familiar slogan from the movement, "Five demands, not one less!"
All of the defendants were granted bail with the trial being adjourned to June 15 at the prosecution's request.
The group faces 58 charges over their alleged roles in organising in taking part in unauthorised demonstrations last year, with some facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
Large-scale protests have mostly subsided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government recently extended its ban on public gatherings until June 4.