Hong Kong protests: Two Ying Wa College students arrested during anti-government demonstrations
The teenagers were arrested in Wan Chai and Whampoa, where anti-mask ban protests took place over the long weekend
More than 200 students protested against the police shooting of an 18-year-old in the chest during the citywide anti-government protests on October 1.Two male students from Ying Wa College were arrested on Sunday and Monday evenings respectively, Young Post has confirmed.
This includes a form five student who was arrested in Wan Chai on Sunday and a form three student who was taken into custody in Whampoa on Monday during the protests.
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The junior student was released on bail last night and the senior student will be released this afternoon, according to Bowie Tang, 17, the Convenor of the school’s anti-government student concern group.
Both were given legal assistance by the school’s alumni, and were accompanied by the principal and vice principal when brought to the police station, he added.
No student rallies took place today inside or outside school in solidarity with the arrested students, and Bowie said the group is not planning to hold any events for the cause.
“We will not take actions to support [the arrested students], as both parents want to stay low-profile. We respect their wishes,” he said, as the parents of both students are unwilling to disclose the charges against their children.
“I feel bad for the students involved, as both of them are good students. Some of our members feel angry about the arrest."
When asked about whether he fears his school would reveal information about students supporting and participating in the anti-government rallies, Bowie said he has faith that his principal and teachers would not “betray” them.
“In recent weeks, we’ve talked to the principal and teachers several times. They’ve shown care and love to us,” he said. “The school does not encourage us, but they do not stop us either.”
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Bowie added that his school’s vice principal and teacher have been present at class boycotts and school rallies. Teachers have also provided physical and mental support for them during the movement.
He commented that the anti-mask law that came into effect last Saturday was “totally unacceptable,” and alleged that the government intended to “take authoritarian control of” Hongkongers by exercising the emergency law.
“I [suspect] the government will use the [emergency law] to extend the maximum period of custody, restrict media [coverage], and so on. The anti-mask law is just a testing ground for them to see how citizens respond to the use of the [emergency law].”
Bowie also admitted that he is mentally prepared to be arrested. “As long as I’m still alive, I won’t give up on this. I’m ready to be arrested,” he said. “I’m a Christian, and I think that one of my missions is to fight against tyranny,” he added.