In a watershed moment for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, 45 activists, including artist and elected official Clarisse Yeung, were sentenced under the controversial national security law in a mass trial that concluded on Tuesday. This trial, the largest of its kind since the law’s implementation in 2020, reflects the shrinking space for political dissent and artistic freedom in the city.

Among the sentenced were Yeung, a cultural advocate known for her efforts in promoting public art and supporting creative communities, as well as former law professor Benny Tai and prominent activist Joshua Wong. These individuals were part of the so-called “Hong Kong 47,” accused of conspiring to paralyze the government by organizing an unofficial primary election in 2020. The charges, rooted in allegations of subversion, have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and the international community.

Clarisse Yeung received a six-year sentence, reduced by six months in recognition of her charitable work and contributions to cultural policies. Yeung’s involvement in art, particularly her advocacy for local artists and public cultural initiatives, had made her a beloved figure among creative circles in Hong Kong. Her sentencing has raised concerns about the future of art as a platform for dialogue and resistance in an increasingly controlled environment.

The harshest sentence was handed to Benny Tai, who received 10 years. Tai, seen as an intellectual leader of the movement, was accused of orchestrating the primary election, which authorities claimed aimed to disrupt governmental functions.

Yeung’s artistic contributions were often intertwined with her political activism. As an elected official, she championed policies that supported creative industries and fostered public art projects. Her efforts to use art as a means of community engagement and empowerment resonated with many, making her sentencing a blow not only to the pro-democracy movement but also to the broader cultural landscape of Hong Kong.

The trial has been widely criticized as a politically motivated effort to dismantle Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Western nations and human rights groups have condemned the sentencing, calling it a violation of international norms and a suppression of free expression.

The 2019 protests that galvanized Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement also inspired a surge in politically charged art, as murals, street performances, and visual installations became tools of resistance. With the enactment of the national security law, however, many of these creative expressions have been erased, and their creators silenced or forced into exile.

Yeung’s sentencing underscores the vulnerability of artists and cultural advocates in authoritarian regimes, where creativity often becomes a target for repression. Her work, which sought to bridge the gap between art and activism, now stands as a testament to the resilience of those who use culture as a form of resistance.

As the Hong Kong art scene faces mounting pressures, the legacy of figures like Clarisse Yeung remains a poignant reminder of the critical role art plays in challenging power, fostering community, and imagining a freer future.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com