Tue Mar 11 13:06:31 UTC 2025: ## Hong Kong Social Worker Convicted of Rioting Despite Previous Acquittal
**HONG KONG –** A Hong Kong court has convicted social worker Jackie Chen of rioting for her participation in the 2019 anti-government protests, overturning a previous acquittal. The Tuesday verdict comes after an appeal by the Hong Kong Secretary for Justice, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on dissent in the territory.
Chen, who had previously been cleared of the charges in 2020, maintained she was attempting to de-escalate tensions between police and protesters by urging calm. However, the court ruled that her actions, including accusations of police brutality, amounted to active participation in the riot, bolstering protesters’ resistance. Deputy District Judge May Chung stated Chen’s words were “provocative” and fueled the unrest.
Despite facing a potential seven-year sentence (the maximum for District Court rulings), Chen expressed no regrets and reassured supporters following the verdict. Sentencing is scheduled for April.
The case underscores the increasingly restrictive climate in Hong Kong following the implementation of Beijing’s national security law. The 2019 protests, initially sparked by an extradition bill, evolved into broader calls for democracy and police accountability, posing a significant challenge to Chinese authority. The subsequent crackdown has seen numerous activists prosecuted, with last year’s mass sentencing of 45 pro-democracy figures serving as a stark example. While authorities claim the security law has restored stability, critics view it as a tool for suppressing dissent.
First Piper 