Hong Kong democratic activist Agnes Chow has been attending an unauthorized rally for more than six months during a major anti-government protest in 2019 that triggered a crackdown on a former British colonial opposition. After serving, he was released from prison on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Chow was greeted by a crowd of journalists as he left the Tyram Women’s Center. She silently switched from a prison van to a private car.

There was only a small group of supporters on site. This seems to reflect a government threat that Beijing considers to be in breach of the widespread national security law it imposed on its territory a year ago.

The law arrested major democratic activists such as Joshua Wong and Jimmy Lai in prison. Others are seeking asylum abroad. Critics say China now routinely violates the promise of maintaining the freedom promised to Hong Kong for the 50 years since it was taken over by Chinese rule in 1997.

Chow, along with Wong and Nathan’s law, which was granted political asylum in Britain in April, became prominent while being a student of the 2014 “Umbrella Movement” seeking universal suffrage.

She has many followers in Japan, frequently visits Japan and posts on Twitter in fluent Japanese.

The 2019 protests began as a peaceful march against a bill that suspected criminals may have been sent to China to face abuse and unfair trials. The bill was withdrawn, but protests swelled to demand universal suffrage and investigation into police abuse, becoming more and more violent as demonstrators responded to harsh police tactics.

China counterattacked with the National Security Act, which it challenged in the semi-autonomous territory. Advocates say they intend to ensure that the people who run the city are Chinese patriots who are enthusiastic about public order and morals and economic development.

China also reviewed Hong Kong’s legislative council, giving the overwhelming majority to the Pro-Beijing delegation. The Hong Kong media is now almost completely dominated by Pro-Beijing business groups, and even independent bookstores are rare. National Security Law also gives authorities broad authority to monitor speech online, making it difficult to organize opposition rallies or even express critical views on the government or Beijing.

The annual candlelight vigil for victims of the bloody oppression of the 1989 democratic movement centered around Tiananmen Square in Beijing has been canceled for the second time this year. This week’s Hong Kong censors have also been empowered to ban films that endanger national security, further limiting freedom of expression in a city once known for its vibrant arts and film scenes. Caused concern.

CEO Carrie Lam, who is under US sanctions, faces a crackdown on dissenting opinions, but she is believed to be acting entirely on the orders of Beijing. It may spread nationwide.