Hong Kong young people struggle to rebuild their lives after being jailed under Beijing's crackdown

HONG KONG (AP) — After spending five months in jail for publishing seditious Instagram posts, Joker Chan returned to a harsh reality.

Chan, 30, was sentenced in 2022 for posts containing slogans like “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which were popularly chanted during massive anti-government protests in the city in 2019. Authorities said such slogans could imply separating Hong Kong from China — a red line for Beijing.

Upon his release, Chan's criminal record barred him from returning to the hotel industry, where he previously worked as a chef. Tattoos on his arms, legs and the sides of his neck — some related to the protests — made his job search more difficult. Now, he works as a part-time waiter, earning about half of what he used to make.

Some of his friends severed ties with him, fearing their association might lead to police investigations. His family also expressed disappointment in him, and when he went out with other former protesters they asked him whether he planned to stir trouble.

“I felt helpless. I can’t understand this,” he said, wearing a black t-shirt that read “I am Hongkonger" and with a tattoo of his inmate number on his arm.

Five years after the protests erupted, the lives of some young people who were jailed or arrested during Beijing’s political crackdown on the city's pro-democracy movement remain in limbo. Unlike famed activists, these former protesters usually receive little attention from most of the city, even though their activism for the same democratic goals has exacted a similarly heavy toll.

Since the protests broke out five years ago, more than 10,200 people have been arrested in connection with the often-violent social unrest sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill, which would have allowed suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China. According to police, about one-fifth of them have faced or were facing “legal consequences” as of the end of May.

The government crackdown expanded after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020 and the enactment of similar, home-grown legislation in March. About 300 others were arrested under the two security laws and other offenses linked to endangering national security as of June, with half of them already convicted by courts, the city’s security bureau said.

Chan fought for a more democratic Hong Kong, a goal that many in the city have yearned for since the former British colony returned to China in 1997. Reflecting on his actions, Chan said he would have been more cautious if he could go back in time, but he doesn't regret what he did.

“Regret can lead you to overturn what you originally firmly stood for,” he said.

Chan was an exception in agreeing for his full name to be published in this article. Two other interviewees The Associated Press spoke with asked to be identified only by partial names over fears of government retribution.

Another former inmate, also surnamed Chan, said he panicked every time he saw police on the streets after he finished serving his sentence in 2022, worrying he would be arrested again. Chan, who is in his 20s, refused to provide more details about his prosecution since he feared being identified by authorities.

Before he landed his current job in the creative industry, he sent applications to about 40 companies seeking employment, with only a handful offering him an interview. He said one interviewer was concerned that convicted people like him could affect their corporate image.

Even when he secured a position at another firm, he said he was treated unfairly by former pro-China colleagues. He said they also did not allow him to work on certain projects.

"Some (who were jailed) for political cases like me, when released, are treated as pariahs in society in a hidden manner,” he said.

Others who did not go to jail have also lived in fear for years. Nick, a former protester who was arrested in 2019, said he didn't know for years whether he would be charged until police this year confirmed they had dropped his case.

Brandon Yau, secretary of the prisoners’ support group Waiting Bird, said while some former inmates could return to the industries they previously worked in, many teachers, medical professionals and social workers — whose positions are linked to a license or public sector organizations — face greater challenges in returning to their old sectors.

Convicted students who were formerly jailed are concerned about whether schools will accept them. Some institutions have been unsupportive of their students after they were arrested, Yau said.

According to his group, many of the hundreds of convicts they supported are expected to be released in the next two years. Yau said the city should plan for ways to accommodate them.

Official data show hundreds of people were sent to correctional services facilities each year over offenses linked to the protests or for allegedly endangering national security between 2020 and 2023. By the end of 2023, about 780 people were in custody for such offenses, up nearly 50% from a year earlier.

Hong Kong's security minister Chris Tang previously said many young people who were jailed over civil disturbances were influenced or incited by others and went astray. He said local society won’t give up on them as long as they “genuinely” want to turn over a new leaf.

But critics say Tang's remarks overlook the deeper grievances and aspirations that drove young people to protest five years ago.

Paul Yip, a professor at The University of Hong Kong’s department of social work and social administration, said local employers were becoming more accepting of these young people, possibly after seeing former inmates perform well in their jobs.

Yip, also the director of a suicide prevention research center, said the young people he hired were enthusiastic about their future and usually had a strong sense of responsibility.

He said it is important to help such people get back on track.

“We say young people are our future. They are the young people. If you don't give them a future, then how will we have a future?” he said.

Joker Chan reacts during an interview, in Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. Chan, 30, was sentenced in 2022 for posts containing slogans like “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which were popularly chanted during massive anti-government protests in the city in 2019. Authorities said such slogans could imply separating Hong Kong from China, a red line for Beijing. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

Joker Chan's socks embroidered with the words "Hong Kong" poses for photographs after an interview, in Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. Five years after Hong Kong's massive anti-government protests erupted, the lives of many young people like Chan who were jailed or arrested during Beijing's political crackdown on the city's pro-democracy movement remain in limbo. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

Joker Chan reacts during an interview, in Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. After spending five months in jail for publishing seditious Instagram posts, Joker Chan returned to a harsh reality. Tattoos on his arms, legs and the sides of his neck, some related to anti-government protests, made his job search more difficult. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

Joker Chan stands on the street of Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. Chan, 30, was sentenced in 2022 for posts containing slogans like “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which were popularly chanted during massive anti-government protests in the city in 2019. Authorities said such slogans could imply separating Hong Kong from China, a red line for Beijing. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

Joker Chan's tattoos including one of his inmate number can be seen after an interview, in Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. After spending five months in jail for publishing seditious Instagram posts, Joker Chan returned to a harsh reality. Tattoos on his arms, legs and the sides of his neck, some related to anti-government protests, made his job search more difficult. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

The words Hongkonger can be seen tattooed to the neck of Joker Chan as he poses for photographs after an interview, in Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. Chan, 30, was sentenced in 2022 for posts containing slogans like “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which were popularly chanted during massive anti-government protests in the city in 2019. Authorities said such slogans could imply separating Hong Kong from China, a red line for Beijing. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

Joker Chan poses for photographs after an interview, in Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. Chan, 30, was sentenced in 2022 for posts containing slogans like “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which were popularly chanted during massive anti-government protests in the city in 2019. Authorities said such slogans could imply separating Hong Kong from China, a red line for Beijing. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

Joker Chan poses for photographs after an interview, in Hong Kong, on June 28, 2024. Chan, 30, was sentenced in 2022 for posts containing slogans like “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” which were popularly chanted during massive anti-government protests in the city in 2019. Authorities said such slogans could imply separating Hong Kong from China — a red line for Beijing. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Quintana extended his scoreless streak to a career-high 22 2/3 innings and Brandon Nimmo’s three-run homer capped a nine-run fourth as the surging New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 10-0 on Wednesday night to finish a three-game sweep.

Luisangel Acuña homered again for the Mets (84-68), who moved a season-high 16 games above .500 and remained tied with Arizona for the second of three NL wild cards — two games ahead of Atlanta for the league’s last playoff spot.

“I’m pretty much convinced now we’re not in the regular season anymore,” Nimmo said. “We’re in playoff baseball and every win is extremely important. It decides whether we keep playing or not.”

Acuña, Mark Vientos and Starling Marte each drove in two runs as the Mets followed a 10-1 victory Tuesday night with another blowout of Washington. New York finished 11-2 against the Nationals this season, its best record against one opponent since going 10-1 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988.

“We’re close to the finish of the season and we’re in good position,” Quintana said. “We feel really strong.”

Quintana (10-9) allowed two hits, walked two and struck out four in seven innings to complete his season-long dominance of the Nationals, whom he blanked over 21 innings in three starts — the most innings a Mets pitcher has thrown in a season without allowing a run against an opponent in franchise history.

“He doesn’t throw many balls right over the heart of the plate,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “He nibbles a lot, but you’ve got to get up there and be ready to hit when it does come over the plate.”

Quintana hasn’t allowed a run since the third inning against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 31. His previous career-best scoreless streak was 20 2/3 innings in 2014.

The veteran left-hander has won four straight outings and permitted one earned run in 32 innings over his last five starts for a 0.28 ERA during that span.

“He’s been in the league for a long time and there’s a reason why,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He knows that you’re going to go through stretches where it’s hard. And he’ll continue to find a way. It’s just basically trusting his pitches, his repertoire, in the strike zone.”

The Mets sent 12 batters to the plate against DJ Herz (4-8) and Jacob Barnes in the fourth, when they had their biggest inning since a nine-run fourth against Toronto on Sept. 11, 2020. Tyrone Taylor opened the scoring with an RBI double and Vientos — mired in 0-for-15 and 3-for-39 slumps — laced a two-run single before Acuña and Marte had run-scoring hits.

Nimmo followed Marte by hitting his second homer since Aug. 20, a 419-foot drive into the Nationals’ bullpen in right-center field. The outfielder had three potential homers sail just foul of the right-field pole in the Mets’ previous four home games.

“It was funny, Steve Cohen actually told me, ‘Hey, that one you finally kept fair,'” Nimmo said with a laugh, referring to the Mets’ owner. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, that one had no danger of being around the foul pole.’”

Acuña homered in the eighth — his second in two nights. A younger brother of reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., the 22-year-old infielder is 7 for 15 in his first five big league games.

CJ Abrams had two of the Nationals’ three hits. Herz allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: 2B Luis García Jr. (right wrist) didn’t play. He exited Tuesday’s game in the fourth inning after aggravating a chronic injury. … RHP Trevor Williams (flexor strain) is expected to come off the 60-day injured list and start Friday against the Chicago Cubs. Williams last pitched on May 30.

Mets: SS Francisco Lindor (sore back) missed his third straight game but played catch and ran Wednesday afternoon. … Rookie RHP Christian Scott (right elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery with an internal brace added next week and will likely be out until 2026. Scott was 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA in nine starts before being injured in his final start July 21. … RHP Kodai Senga (strained left calf), eligible to come off the 60-day injured list next Wednesday, plans to pitch for Triple-A Syracuse this weekend and could still pitch as an opener for the Mets over the final five days of the regular season. … RHP Paul Blackburn (spinal leak in back) threw for the first time since making a rehab start Sept. 3 and hopes to pitch for the Mets next week. … INF Brett Baty (broken left index finger) went 0 for 4 with Syracuse in his first game action since Aug. 22. Mendoza said Baty could be a candidate for a recall by the Mets.

UP NEXT

Nationals: Continue their final road trip Thursday, when LHP Patrick Corbin (6-13, 5.45 ERA) opens a four-game series against RHP Javier Assad (7-5, 3.27) and the Chicago Cubs.

Mets: RHP Luis Severino (10-6, 3.77 ERA) starts Thursday night in the opener of a pivotal four-game series against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, who counter with ex-Mets RHP Taijuan Walker (3-6, 6.29).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Washington Nationals' DJ Herz pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso reacts after grounding out Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Jose Iglesias, left, and Brandon Nimmo, react after Nimmo hit a home run leading Iglesias and Starling Marte to score during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

From left, New York Mets' Luis Severino, Starling Marte, Jose Iglesias, and Brandon Nimmo pose with a sign after Nimmo hit a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo, right, slides to home plate to score on a double hit by Tyrone Taylor as Washington Nationals catcher Drew Millas, left, attempts to ground him out during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Harrison Bader, left, Brandon Nimmo, center, and Luisangel Acuna, right, react after Bader and Acuna scored on a single hit by Starling Marte during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Jesse Winker, left, Luisangel Acuna, center, and Luis Severino, right, pose with a sign after Acuna hit a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Jose Quintana pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)