- Title: Hong Kong "Umbrella" movement leader freed from prison
- Date: 14th March 2020
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (MARCH 14, 2020) (REUTERS) HONG KONG DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST CHAN KIN-MAN WALKING FREE FROM PRISON CHAN WALKING OUT AND HUGGING HIS WIFE CHAN HUGGING DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST CHU YIU-MING CHAN SHOUTING (CANTONESE): '' I WANT UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE'' BEFORE PUTTING UP FACE MASK CHAN WALKING TOWARDS MIC-STAND (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST CHAN KIN-MAN, SAYING: "Life in prison was difficult, but I have no regret at all as this is a necessary price to pay for fighting for democracy. I think after the last few months, Hong Kong people understand more why we had to use civil disobedience to fight for freedom." SUPPORTERS TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST CHAN KIN-MAN, SAYING: "The government's rule was 'fair, open, impartial"; is the rule still adopted by our government now? How can we not be disappointed by the government? That's why I understand some young people resorted to intense actions.'' CHAN HOLDING FLOWER AND HUGGING DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST TANYA CHAN CHAN WITH SUPPORTERS AND ACTIVISTS YELLOW UMBRELLA VARIOUS OF CHAN CHANTING WITH SUPPORTERS AND ACTIVISTS (Cantonese): ''I WANT UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE'' CHAN GREETING WITH HIS SUPPORTERS WITH HIS WIFE BEFORE LEAVING
- Embargoed: 28th March 2020 04:08
- Keywords: Chan Kin-man Hong Kong umbrella movement democracy activist
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001C50V2VB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong democracy activist Chan Kin-man walked free from prison on Saturday (March 14) saying he had no regrets for his leading role in the 2014 "Umbrella" civil disobedience movement and that sacrifice was needed to achieve universal suffrage.
A retired sociologist and one of the three leaders of the pro-democracy movement, Chan was found guilty last year of conspiracy to commit public nuisance for his role in planning and mobilising supporters during the 79-day protest that brought parts of the Chinese-ruled city to a standstill.
The Umbrella protests staged peaceful sit-ins, blocking major roads in the Asian financial hub, in a push for full democracy, although they failed to wrest concessions from Beijing. The Umbrella movement got its name because activists used umbrellas to shield themselves from tear gas and pepper spray. Many protesters last year said the 2014 movement prepared them for further fights for democracy.
Chan, 61, said he plans to visit the young protesters arrested during the recent unrest and share with them his experience in how to mentally deal with the charges they face.
(Production: Joyce Zhou) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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