Hundreds Of College Alumni Members Hail Tanya Chan

Hundreds of people associated with the alma mater of lawmaker Tanya Chan have signed an online statement, expressing support and solidarity with the convicted politician.

About 600 people signed the public statement, including students, alumni, parents, and current and former academic staff of Sacred Heart Canossian College.

They said they were saddened by the news that Chan is suffering from a brain tumour that requires urgent surgery and wished her a speedy recovery.

Chan, of the Civic Party, has yet be told of her punishment for her involvement in the Occupy Movement because of the tumour diagnosis.

"Public-minded as she is, Tanya has been an inspiration for many young ladies like ourselves. In the past decade of her public service both as a legislator and an activist, Tanya has demonstrated her exceptional qualities as a woman of principle and integrity - qualities that are the core of Sacred Heart education," the statement read.

"With immense pride and admiration, we salute her selfless contribution to Hong Kong’s democratic development."

The petition said that Chan – with "unyielding commitment to social justice" – has lived up to the name of "being a Sacred Heartist", because her "self-sacrificing participation in the Occupy Movement was for a noble cause – advocating for universal suffrage".

It said the lawmaker exemplifies bravery and perseverance by bearing the legal consequences of her actions in the spirit of civil disobedience and a respect for the rule of law.

The petition was launched late on Wednesday, hours after eight other Occupy Movement leaders were given jail terms, suspended jail sentences or community service orders.