HONG KONG – In the 1960s, John Clancey was sent to Hong Kong from a small town in New York State to be a priest serving the working poor in the city. He remained and eventually became a lawyer for the helpless people of the city.
More than half a century later, the lawyer faces years in prison for his role in the pro-democracy movement in his adopted home.
Mr Clancey was one of dozens of activists arrested in last week’s opposition round – the largest since Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong six months ago. Police have accused those targeted of subversion after holding informal informal elections last year as part of a plan to win a legislative majority and derail government policy.
During an interview at his office in downtown Hong Kong, Mr. Clancey, 79, confirmed that he had been arrested for serving as treasurer for a pro-democracy group that helped organize mayors. Now a lawyer, Mr. Clancey is the first American detained under the new law, emphasizing its wide expansion and the authorities’ desire to use it for both locals and foreigners.
Police confiscated his American passport following his arrest, Mr. Clancey said, although he believes he does not deserve any special treatment as an American citizen. A spokesman for the US consulate declined to comment on his case, citing privacy laws. A Hong Kong government spokeswoman referred to previous statements, saying the city will protect national security and “will not tolerate any crime of subversion.”