Jailed Leaders Hail Extradition Bill Protesters

Jailed localist Edward Leung has called on protesters not to yield to hatred while Occupy co-founder Benny Tai, who is also in prison, said the current anti-government campaign is a strike back by Hong Kong people against leaders who ignored their peaceful protests.

In an open letter from prison, Leung called on anti-extradition protesters not to become overwhelmed by hatred, but to remain vigilant and thoughtful at times of difficulties.

Leung is serving a six-year term for his role in the Mong Kok riot in 2016.

In the letter dated July 26 and published on his Facebook page on Monday, Leung said he had spent more than a year and a half in detention, and cannot possibly imagine the suffering and pain protesters are suffering both mentally and physically.

But he said he hoped protesters will understand that their love for the city had already displayed unrivalled courage, and had changed Hong Kong’s history.

He said it’s understandable that many of them will feel angry as long as justice is not served, but he called on them not to be overwhelmed by hatred.

"I always remind myself that politics is not only about making sure our supporters continue to support us, but to change the mind of those who don't support us, to agree with our direction," he said.

“What we need is not to gamble our precious lives, but to grow perseverance and hope from suffering,” he said.

Meanwhile Tai in a letter to a news agency, said Hongkongers are becoming more accepting of violent protests because the city's pro-Beijing leaders have ignored years of peaceful demonstrations.

"People seem to have much more tolerance especially when the government refuses to give any direct and meaningful response to the demands of the non-violent movement," he wrote.

The law professor, who has been jailed for 16 months in April over his role in the Occupy protests, said lack of democracy was the root cause of the current stalemate.

"The anti-extradition movement is a strike back by Hong Kong people against the interference by the Chinese Communist Party," he wrote in an earlier letter dated June 23. (additional reporting by AFP)