Hong Kong national security law’s next targets: donors to online group allegedly linked to Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai, activist Agnes Chow
- ‘Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong’ has vowed to use funds it has raised for global campaign seeking sanctions over Beijing-imposed legislation
- Source says Lai, son Ian and Next Media executive Royston Chow believed involved in funnelling group hundreds of thousands of dollars
Less than 24 hours after the enactment of the law, SWHK called on the British government to respond decisively to what it described as an “indisputable breach” of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty.
“The UK government should urgently consider sanctions against [mainland] China and Hong Kong,” it said on the website.
Its most recent action was the launch of the “Rise From the Ashes” crowdfunding campaign on May 27, which is still ongoing. As of Wednesday, about 18,000 people had donated more than US$1.69 million, more than 96.4 per cent of its US$1.75 million goal.
The anti-government protest group had vowed to use the funds to support a range of initiatives including international lobbying for the coming two years, as well as a video production and two print advertisements in the United States or Britain if the funding target was met.
On Wednesday, Lai received a hero’s welcome from staff and supporters when he returned to his Apple Daily office within hours of being released on police bail, pledging to keep the tabloid-style newspaper running.
