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Joshua Wong’s mother said he had sacrificed to build ‘a more beautiful Hong Kong’. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Joshua Wong’s mother writes letter to son blasting Hong Kong government’s pursuit of jailed pro-democracy activists

In letter penned shortly before 20-year-old was jailed, Grace Ng says treatment of Occupy trio marks ‘depraved’ city

Joshua Wong

Imprisoned political activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung’s mother has urged her son to “follow the truth and be courageous”, as she expressed disappointment in the justice department’s decision to seek jail terms for young student leaders.

Grace Ng Chau-mei said the government’s pursuit of her son and two other prominent activists suggested the city had become “depraved”.

In a letter written to her son before his sentence was handed down on Thursday, Ng said Wong, 20, had sacrificed personal and family time since first entering political activism in May 2011, for the sake of “building a more beautiful Hong Kong”.

The letter was posted on Wong’s Facebook on Thursday night.

‘No political motive’ behind seeking jail terms for student protesters, justice minister claims

Earlier that day, the Court of Appeal sentenced Wong, Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Alex Chow Yong-kang to six to eight months in jail for storming the government headquarters compound at ­Tamar in the run-up to the 79-day Occupy sit-ins of 2014.
The sentences replaced the community service originally handed down to Demosisto leaders Wong and Law, and Chow’s suspended jail term.
Wong (in white shirt), Law (in blue shirt) and Chow (black top, right) with fellow activist Lester Shum (centre) at the High Court. Photo: Sam Tsang

In the letter, Ng criticised the Hong Kong government for pursuing the stronger sanctions.

“The justice department vowed to imprison them based on what they said ... and to eliminate young people’s passion and ideals, as well as their vision and commitment for the society,” she wrote.

Jailing Occupy leaders ‘will deter others from joining protests’

“Why is Hong Kong so depraved now to be treating this generation of children like this?”

In a reference to the biblical figure Joshua, who led the Israelites in the conquest of God’s “Promised Land” in Canaan, Ng wrote: “Dad and I gave you this name ‘Joshua’. So don’t forget what God told Joshua: reflect on whatever you do, follow the truth, and you can be courageous.”

Wong’s parents were not at court on Thursday, but Law’s mother reportedly said it was “unacceptable” for her son to be jailed.

Chow’s parents voiced support for their son, who spent his 27th birthday in jail on Friday.

“We are proud of what he has done, which is for the sake of Hongkongers and the [city’s] future,” Chow’s father said.

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