HONG KONG — A social worker, recognized for her attempts to mediate during the intense 2019 anti-government protests in Hong Kong, was found guilty of rioting on Tuesday, highlighting the firm approach authorities have adopted in handling political matters. Jackie Chen was known among a group of social workers who frequently used loudspeakers in efforts to foster communication between police officers and protesters amidst the unrest. Initially, in September 2020, she was acquitted in her first trial. However, an appeal from the secretary of justice led to a court-mandated retrial overseen by a different judge.
During this retrial, the prosecution alleged that Chen, who used a loudspeaker to urge police to stay calm and refrain from using firearms to discharge non-lethal bullets, participated in a riot during an August 2019 protest. Maintaining her innocence, Chen entered a plea of not guilty. In her verdict, Judge May Chung stated Chen had persistently voiced baseless accusations towards the police, insinuating that their actions were excessively forceful or rash. The judge mentioned that Chen utilized her position as a social worker, under the guise of “safeguarding justice,” to support the protesters.
Chung determined that the only reasonable conclusion was that Chen intended to take part in the riot. “By gathering with other rioters through such means, she thereby encouraged other rioters to perform acts that disturb social peace,” she wrote. Prior to the verdict’s announcement, Chen was seen taking group photos with her supporters and sharing hugs outside the district court. Expressing a sense of calm, she conveyed to reporters that she was at peace due to having five years to brace for this moment and harbored no regrets irrespective of the result.
“I hope everyone I know lives healthily and happily because we still have our road to walk along,” she conveyed. After the judgment was delivered, she reassured her supporters, seated in the public gallery, that she would be fine. Chen is set to receive her sentence in April, with the maximum penalty for rioting in Hong Kong being 10 years, albeit district court sentences are limited to seven years. Additionally, Chen faces the risk of losing her professional license.
Last year, amendments were made to the law permitting the removal of a social worker’s name from the register should they be convicted of an offense carrying a prison term, which might tarnish the profession’s reputation. Chen’s case garnered attention due to her relatively mild role in the 2019 movement, representing the largest challenge to the Hong Kong government since the city, a former British colony, reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
The 2019 protests were initially triggered by a proposed extradition bill, which raised fears that criminal suspects in Hong Kong could be extradited to mainland China for trial. Although the government eventually withdrew the bill, the protesters expanded their demands, calling for direct elections for city leaders and holding police accountable. In retaliation, Beijing implemented a national security law to suppress the unrest. Under this law, numerous prominent city activists have faced prosecution or conviction. The Hong Kong government maintains that the law has successfully restored the city’s order.
