A brief history of anonymously scattered leaflets

A case involving the distribution of home-produced leaflets has led to charges under Hong Kong's national security law, echoing historical instances of dissent. Raymond Wong, a 55-year-old construction worker, appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrates Court for allegedly scattering seditious materials from his 12th-floor public housing flat.

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paper sheets written with statements

The leaflets, described legally as "paper sheets written with statements," were found on two separate occasions. The first batch reportedly called for action against corrupt police, an implication the article notes is automatically considered seditious. The second batch contained the phrase "liberate Hong Kong; do not vote." While Wong was not charged with voter discouragement, the phrase "liberate Hong Kong" is particularly sensitive under current laws.

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action against corrupt police people

Authorities reportedly discovered Wong's fingerprints on two of the leaflets. He has pleaded guilty to the charges and is scheduled to be sentenced next week. The case has prompted reflections on historical acts of protest, with the article drawing a parallel to the distribution of pamphlets by students Hans and Sophie Scholl at the Ludwig-Maximilian Universität in Munich in 1943.

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liberate Hong Kong; do not vote

Geert Mak's book "In Europe" is cited as a source for this historical comparison, detailing how students distributed tracts demanding the restitution of personal freedom from Adolf Hitler's state. The article suggests a sense of déjà vu, noting that while history may not repeat itself, it can sometimes rhyme, implying a recurring pattern of individuals using leaflets as a form of protest.

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In the name of Germany’s young people we demand restitution by Adolf Hitler’s state of our personal freedom …