Hong Kong court finds three pro-democracy protest leaders guilty News
Hong Kong court finds three pro-democracy protest leaders guilty

A Hong Kong court on Thursday found three leaders of the 2014 pro-democracy protests guilty on charges related to their occupation of a government building. Joshua Wong and Alex Chow, prominent leaders of the Umbrella Revolution [Guardian backgrounder], were convicted of unlawful assembly [South China Morning Post report], while a third activist, Nathan Law, was found to have incited others to join that unlawful assembly. The charges stem from 79 days [Time report] of street protests in Hong Kong, during which time pro-democracy protesters occupied [JURIST report] a number of public roads and buildings. Wong and Law are currently the leaders of the Demosisto [party website, in Chinese] political party and were planning to stand for legislative elections in November. The three activists are scheduled to be sentenced [BBC report] next month, subject to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and up to three years in prison.

China’s human rights record has garnered international attention for the government’s treatment of the growing civil rights movement [JURIST op-ed] in the country, led by a number of prominent rights activists and attorneys. In January, Chinese authorities brought charges [JURIST report] against seven lawyers from the Beijing Fengrui Law Firm related to events that have allegedly disrupted the public order, including a police shooting. Chinese state media criticized [JURIST report] detained human rights lawyers for undermining the rule of law last year. In December, prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang was released [JURIST report] after receiving a suspended sentence. Pu was detained in 2014 on a charge of “causing a disturbance” after he attended a weekend meeting that urged an investigation into the 1989 crackdown of pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square and was subsequently denied [JURIST reports] bail. The Tiananmen protests began in April 1989 with mainly students and laborers protesting the Communist Party of China. The Chinese government declared martial law in May and initiated the violent dispersal of protesters by the People’s Liberation Army on June 4. The Chinese government has never publicized official figures, but the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights & Democracy [advocacy website] reported last year that unnamed sources had estimated 600 people were killed [ICHR report, in Chinese].

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.