Hong Kong pro-democracy group downsizes amid crackdown

The group said in a statement that seven of its 14 remaining steering committee members had decided to step down in the face of “growing political and legal risks.”

One of Hong Kong’s most established pro-democracy civic organisations said on Saturday it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee amid Beijing’s crackdown on opposition activity in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China is best known for organising an annual rally and candlelight vigil remembering those killed in the bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. The group said in a statement that seven of its 14 remaining steering committee members had decided to step down in the face of “growing political and legal risks.” Of the seven members remaining, three are currently in jail facing national security charges – chairman Lee Cheuk-yan as well as vice chairmen Albert Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung.