Goal of Tiananmen vigil group an ‘empty slogan’, not actual plan: defence lawyer

The disbanded Hong Kong group responsible for the annual Tiananmen vigil maintained their stance that the goal of ending one-party rule in China was merely a "theoretical and conceptual" aim, not an actual plan for subversion, according to their defence lawyers. Former alliance leaders Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho, and Chow Hang-tung argued their advocacy for democracy and freedom in mainland China was simply expressing their beliefs, without inciting any actions against the Chinese Communist Party.

However, Lee and Ho were convicted of inciting hatred toward the party, while Chow pleaded guilty to the same charge. They were accused of using the vigils to attract supporters and incite them to take action to overthrow the ruling party. Their defence counsel Erik Shum argued the alliance's goal of ending Communist Party rule was "empty" and that there was no evidence of anyone being incited to subvert the authorities following the vigils. Shum requested a lenient sentence of no more than five years' imprisonment for his clients.