Jimmy Lai

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“We think of these stories of saints that have withstood all this persecution as belonging to the Middle Ages,” said Bill McGurn, godfather of Jimmy Lai. “It’s going on right now, and we can see it.”

Jimmy Lai’s godfather assesses trial: ‘He’s a real champion of freedom’

Nov 21, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Jimmy Lai, 76, was first arrested in August 2020 under China’s newly instituted Hong Kong national security law. Read more

Jimmy Lai’s wife, Teresa (left), and retired Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun arrive at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts to attend Hong Kong activist publisher Lai’s national security trial in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024.

Jimmy Lai takes the stand in yearslong Hong Kong national security trial

Nov 20, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Catholic pro-democracy and human rights activity Jimmy Lai took the stand Wednesday arguing in his own defense against allegations of... Read more

Jimmy Lai and other demonstrators had been convicted in 2021 of taking part in what the Hong Kong government had argued was an “unauthorized assembly” at Victoria Park in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay neighborhood.

Hong Kong court rejects Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai’s appeal of 2021 conviction

Aug 12, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Lai and other demonstrators had been convicted in 2021 of taking part in what the Hong Kong government had argued... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Jimmy Lai remains in solitary confinement after Hong Kong trial delayed until November

Aug 5, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Media mogul and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai will remain in solitary confinement after a Hong Kong court delayed his national... Read more

Mark Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom of Hong Kong and the author of a forthcoming biography of Jimmy Lai, speaks with “EWTN News Nightly” on June 11, 2024.

Jimmy Lai biographer: Trial is a ‘sham,’ but faith gives him ‘strength’

Jun 12, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Lai, the Chinese-born founder of the anti-government newspaper Apple Daily, entered a not guilty plea to charges of conspiring to... Read more

Frances Hui is policy and advocacy coordinator for the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation.

As Jimmy Lai languishes in prison, fellow activists convicted in Hong Kong

May 31, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Fourteen pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been convicted of subversion while billionaire Catholic convert Jimmy Lai, 76, remains imprisoned. Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Hong Kong criticizes U.S. bill to rename street in honor of imprisoned human rights defender

Apr 30, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

U.S. Reps. Chris Smith and Tom Suozzi proposed the bill last week to honor 75-year-old Jimmy Lai, who has been... Read more

A drawing of the Crucifixion by imprisoned Catholic and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai is unveiled by Lai's godfather, William McGurn, and his wife and daughter at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Feb. 22, 2024.

Catholic University installs Crucifixion artwork by imprisoned Catholic activist Jimmy Lai

Feb 23, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The picture is now on permanent display by the St. Michael the Archangel Chapel in Catholic University’s Busch School of... Read more

Hong Kong.Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, May 18, 2020.

Hong Kong activist: Proposed law could worsen religious liberty, persecute Catholics

Feb 13, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

If enacted, Article 23 would expand the law to bolster the government’s crackdown on political dissidents, which has been ongoing... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty in Hong Kong national security trial

Jan 2, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Lai’s trial in Hong Kong began last month, launching what is expected to be a protracted legal exhibition capping several... Read more

Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy Lai's international legal team, appears on “EWTN News Nightly” with host Tracy Sabol on Dec. 19, 2023.

Jimmy Lai unlikely to receive a fair trial from Hong Kong judges, lawyer says

Dec 20, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai was arrested in August 2020 under that year’s controversial national security law. Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Congressional commission urges sanctions if Hong Kong won’t release Jimmy Lai

Dec 18, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Jimmy Lai, now 76, has been imprisoned for three years in a maximum security prison, charged with a variety of... Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Trial begins for Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong Catholic activist imprisoned for 3 years

Dec 18, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Lai was originally arrested in August 2020 under that year’s controversial national security law, which was passed by China’s communist-controlled... Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Hong Kong lawmaker blasts Catholic bishops’ petition for release of Jimmy Lai 

Nov 21, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

“I advise those religious leaders to know when to quit, or else they will have a heavy price to pay,”... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Catholic bishops call on Hong Kong government to release pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai

Nov 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Ten bishops from around the world have called for the release of Lai, who was originally arrested in August 2020... Read more

Newspaper publisher and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai poses during an interview in Hong Kong in 2020.

Pro-democracy Catholic Jimmy Lai marks 1,000th day in jail awaiting trial

Sep 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

As the publisher and activist awaits a December trial, human rights groups have published an open letter calling on the... Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest

Film about freedom activist Jimmy Lai surpasses 1 million YouTube views in under 2 weeks

May 5, 2023

By Zoe Romanowsky

“The Hong Konger” tells the story of the pro-democracy media billionaire who chose to publicly oppose China’s crackdown on the... Read more

Newspaper publisher and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai poses during an interview in Hong Kong in 2020.

Shutdown of Jimmy Lai filmmaker’s TikTok account reversed after censorship outcry

May 4, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

The Acton Institute said its TikTok account was abruptly taken down on May 2 without explanation. Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone

Archbishop Cordileone to hold Holy Hour for Cardinal Zen, Jimmy Lai, and Hong Kong

Apr 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco will hold a eucharistic Holy Hour and rosary Monday evening for the people of... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen, one of Asia's highest-ranking Catholic clerics, arrives at a court for his trial in Hong Kong on Sept. 26, 2022.

Cardinal Zen and Jimmy Lai among Hong Kongers nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 

Feb 3, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

A bipartisan congressional commission chaired by Rep. Chris Smith announced Thursday the nomination of six Hong Kongers for their efforts... Read more