[At this historical juncture, I, Joshua Wong, will run in the Legislative Council Election.]
When Beijing is deepening its controls over the city's autonomy and freedoms, I never underestimate my chance of being disqualified during elections. Especially under the looming shadow of the draconian national security legislation, even the whole election itself can be disqualified. At this critical moment, the reason for my run for the Legislative Council is simple - When Beijing plans to denounce international lobbyings as a crime, I need your vote to show a resounding no to China's reckless move and support my future international effort.
Like other human rights groups, Demosisto may probably be the prime targets under Beijing's new law in retaliation for our calling for the legislation of Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to safeguard the city's human rights and freedoms since 2016. I know, when the official election day comes, my name may not appear on the ballot. However, since there will be no political censorship in this primary election organized by civil society, it can demonstrate the will of the people under Beijing's authoritarian claws. With more Hongkongers participating in this critical primary election, Beijing has to face more backlash when it imposes a reign of terror and purges the entire generation of political talents in the city.
When Beijing seeks to bring this global business centre to its heel, our goal of “35+” - the hope of winning over half of the seats in the Legislative Council this September - becomes the vital and necessary step to strengthen Hongkongers' political clout to regain our control of the city's legislative decisions. Only with the majority in the legislature, Honogkongers can achieve our five demands within the system.
When growing authoritarian controls and police brutality permeate this island, Hongkongers now face a critical choice between ballot or bullet, liberty or autocracy, autonomy or tyranny. During this election when China shows its claws, Hongkongers are forced to confront the regime's bullets with the ballots we cast.
At this historical crossroads, I, Joshua Wong, hereby announce that I will run in the forthcoming legislative election. In this extraordinary election under Beijing's looming threat, every vote you cast is to continue our spirit of resistance, to bring our voices to the world and to fend off Beijing's further encroachment on the city's autonomy and freedoms.
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