At 3:50 a.m. local time, 4 individuals dressed in black and wielding batons entered the print shop and warehouse of the #HongKong edition of @EpochTimes and set a fire.
This is our response. (Thread 👇) theepochtimes.com/epoch-times-st…
This is our response. (Thread 👇) theepochtimes.com/epoch-times-st…
The telescopic batons carried by the thugs in the video are similar to those used by the #HongKongPolice. Two of the thugs who carried out the attack were dressed in black with masks, like the #HongKongProtesters.
This was apparently done in an effort to confuse…
This was apparently done in an effort to confuse…
…the situation, as this tactic fits a pattern we have seen in #HongKong. Police and thugs have pretended to be protesters, journalists, and citizens, and committed violence, including beatings and arson, then blamed the protesters in an attempt to discredit them.
In fact, over the past 5 months or so, the #EpochTimes has won the heartfelt appreciation of the people of #HongKong.
The paper has spared no effort in reporting on the situation there, and has spoken out for the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement.
The paper has spared no effort in reporting on the situation there, and has spoken out for the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement.
The fire damaged a printing press, four rolls of printing paper, the control box casing of another printing press, and bundles of newspapers. Sprinklers activated by the fire soaked the machines, rolls of paper, and stacks of newspaper. The loss is being assessed.
Police and firefighters responded and made a record of the attack. They have requested the factory submit its CCTV footage as evidence.
The #EpochTimes’ coverage of the #HongKongProtests has stood out. For instance, on Nov. 12, six #HongKong newspapers ran front-page ads echoing #Beijing’s rhetoric attacking the protesters.
Only @EpochTimes and @appledaily_hk covered the escalation of police tactics.
Only @EpochTimes and @appledaily_hk covered the escalation of police tactics.
The #CCP has worked to silence #EpochTimes for years.
For instance, Ms. Lu, the Hong Kong edition’s circulation manager, said that in April a popular convenience store in Hong Kong tore up a contract for selling The Epoch Times under pressure from the CCP, despite the sales…
For instance, Ms. Lu, the Hong Kong edition’s circulation manager, said that in April a popular convenience store in Hong Kong tore up a contract for selling The Epoch Times under pressure from the CCP, despite the sales…
…exceeding the contract requirements many times over. Lu also said there have been incidents of intimidation of journalists from time to time.
The arson on the 19th is the 4th attack on #EpochTimes’ print shop in #HongKong.
The arson on the 19th is the 4th attack on #EpochTimes’ print shop in #HongKong.
In Feb 2006, thugs broke into it and attempted to smash the printers.
In Oct 2012, thugs attempted to break into the print shop but could not smash open the gate.
In Dec 2012, 7 men carrying multiple toolboxes appeared and began attempting to break through the gate.
In Oct 2012, thugs attempted to break into the print shop but could not smash open the gate.
In Dec 2012, 7 men carrying multiple toolboxes appeared and began attempting to break through the gate.
The #HongKongProtests have been an attempt to defend fundamental liberties. They people of #HongKong feel that if they don’t protest now, the #CCP will force its tyranny over the city.
The recent attack on #EpochTimes was an attempt to deny to the Hong Kong people a free press.
The recent attack on #EpochTimes was an attempt to deny to the Hong Kong people a free press.
#EpochTimes will not be cowed. #HongKong Epoch Times President Guo Jun said:
“We are urgently repairing the printing factory. We are sure that we will be able to publish successfully tomorrow. Thank you for your support!”
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“We are urgently repairing the printing factory. We are sure that we will be able to publish successfully tomorrow. Thank you for your support!”
/END/
