HONG KONG – In the 1960s, John Clancey was sent to Hong Kong from a small town in New York State to be a priest who served the city’s poor workers. He stayed and eventually became an advocate for the city’s powerless people.
More than half a century later, the lawyer faces years in prison for his role in the pro-democracy movement in his foster home.
Mr Clancey was one of dozens of activists arrested during last week’s opposition rally, the largest since Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong six months ago. Police accused the subversion targets after holding an unofficial primary election last year as part of a plan to win a legislative majority and derail government policy.
During an interview at his office in central Hong Kong, Mr. Clancey, 79, confirmed he was arrested because he was treasurer of a pro-democracy group that helped organize the primaries. Now, lawyer, Mr. Clancey is the first American arrested under the new law, underscoring its broad scope and the authorities ’willingness to exercise it on both locals and foreigners.
Police confiscated his American passport after his arrest, Clancey said, though he believes he does not deserve any special treatment as a U.S. citizen. A U.S. consulate spokesman declined to comment on his case, citing privacy laws. A Hong Kong government spokeswoman referred to earlier statements saying the city would safeguard national security and “would not tolerate any crime of subversion”.