Occupy activists invoke spirit of Christian persecution as hundreds march in Hong Kong ahead of court judgment day
- Event takes protest leaders from Causeway Bay to Admiralty as part of Via Dolorosa ceremony
- Movement’s ringleaders will learn their fate in court on April 9 after being tried for a variety of offences connected to the 2014 protests
Carrying a cross and invoking the persecution of Jesus, pro-democracy activists and hundreds of their supporters marched to the headquarters of the Hong Kong government on Saturday, as the fallout from the 2014 Occupy protests nears a conclusion.
In a deeply religious ceremony based on the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took to crucifixion, the movement’s founders were supported by Protestants and Catholics as they made their symbolic journey.
The nine leaders return to court on April 9, where they will learn their fates after being charged with a variety of offences in connection with the 79-day civil disobedience movement.
Led by the outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, who told the activists not to fear the possibility of going to jail, the event began around 4pm in Causeway Bay, and finished in Admiralty some 2½ hours later.
“We might be sending them off, but don’t be afraid,” he said at the end of the ceremony. As a religious official Zen said he would be able to visit the activists, should they be sent to jail, and called on them to have hope in the “long, dark night”.