Jackie Chen Pleads Not Guilty in 2019 Protest Rioting Retrial
Hong Kong social worker Jackie Chen has once again pleaded not guilty to rioting during a protest in 2019, facing a retrial after the government appealed her acquittal four years ago. The District Court on Monday saw Chen deny one count of rioting in relation to a protest on August 31, 2019, where clashes between protesters and police officers escalated into chaos.
Retrial Details
Chen, a 47-year-old social worker, was initially acquitted midway through her trial in September 2020. However, the government appealed against all the acquittals, leading to a retrial that Chen unsuccessfully tried to challenge. The retrial is now being presided over by Deputy District Judge May Chung.
During the opening statements, the prosecution alleged that Chen participated in a riot near Hennessy Road and Luard Road in Wan Chai on the fateful day. The scene turned violent as the assembly escalated into a riot, with fires being set and bleachers from a nearby playground moved onto the street.
Chen’s Involvement
Known for her presence on the frontlines of protests, Chen was a member of the Battlefield Social Worker group, offering support and monitoring police behavior during the 2019 demonstrations. She sought to mediate between protesters and law enforcement, often advocating for peaceful resolutions and urging restraint from both sides.
During the protest on August 31, 2019, Chen was seen holding a mic and loudspeaker, calling for police to show restraint as the situation escalated. She was wearing a t-shirt that read: “We are social workers. [We] uphold justice,” emphasizing her commitment to peaceful advocacy on the ground.
Protest Background
The protests in 2019 began over an extradition bill and morphed into broader calls for democracy and police accountability. Demonstrators demanded independent investigations into police conduct, amnesty for those arrested, and a halt to the characterization of protests as “riots.”
Chen’s retrial will continue with testimonies from police officers involved in handling the protest that night. The case underscores the ongoing legal battles stemming from the 2019 protests and the complex interplay between social activism and legal accountability in Hong Kong’s charged political landscape.
