In Hong Kong, police have launched a crackdown on pro-democracy activists, only one day after Beijing’s preferred candidate was chosen to be the next leader of Hong Kong. At least nine activists have been informed they are now facing charges for participation in pro-democracy street protests over two years ago. This is professor Chan Kin-man, one of the founders of Hong Kong’s Occupy Central protests, who is now facing charges.

Chan Kin-man: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think it’s deliberate. I believe that they understood that it might invite backlash from the communities and affect the election campaign. And so that’s why they waited until this morning. But I think this has sent a very bad signal to the community, when Carrie Lam said that she is going to mend the cleavages in the society, to bridge the divide, and now they are charging us. And I think it will further divide the society.”