Hong Kong, AP – A former pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong has been found guilty of participating in a riot during the tumultuous anti-government protests that rocked the city in July 2019. Lam Cheuk-ting, a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement, was convicted by a Hong Kong judge for his alleged involvement in inciting violence at a subway station.
Prosecutors claimed that Lam had provoked a group of around 100 men armed with wooden poles and metal rods, who launched attacks on both protesters and bystanders at a train station. These men, dressed in white shirts in contrast to the black attire of the protesters, claimed to be defending their neighborhood in Yuen Long, a residential area in Hong Kong’s New Territories. The violent clash resulted in numerous injuries, including to Lam himself, and drew widespread criticism of the police for their delayed response.
In a landmark ruling that could shape the city’s historical narrative of the incident, Judge Stanley Chan concluded that Lam was not acting as a mediator as he had asserted, but rather was seeking to capitalize on the situation for political purposes. The judge noted that Lam’s words had further inflamed the volatile situation, rather than defusing it.
Lam, who is already serving time on a national security charge, is awaiting sentencing for his involvement in the riot. The judge was also in the process of delivering verdicts for six other co-defendants in the same case.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants had engaged in various provocative acts, including verbal abuse, obscene gestures, throwing objects, and using a hosepipe to spray water at the white-shirted men. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges of rioting, the defendants found themselves at the center of a contentious legal battle over their roles in the violent confrontation.
During the trial, Lam maintained that his decision to be present in Yuen Long stemmed from his belief that his status as a lawmaker could pressure the authorities into swift action. He argued that he felt compelled to stay and assist fellow residents in danger during the chaotic events. Some defendants who used the hosepipe to deter the attackers claimed they were only trying to prevent further violence.
The 2019 protests, initially sparked by a controversial extradition bill that was later withdrawn, evolved into a broader movement demanding direct elections and police accountability in Hong Kong. The unrest posed one of the most significant challenges to the city’s government since the handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997. In response to the protests, Beijing imposed a far-reaching national security law in 2020, leading to the arrest of numerous activists and dissenters, while others were forced into silence or exile.
Lam’s recent conviction adds to a growing list of prominent figures who have faced legal repercussions for their involvement in the protests. The wave of arrests following the demonstrations saw over 10,000 individuals detained on charges ranging from rioting to unauthorized assembly. Several white-shirted men involved in the violent clashes in July 2019 have also been convicted
