Jimmy Lai

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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

Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former bishop of Hong Kong, pictured on Feb. 18, 2021.

Verdict in Cardinal Zen’s trial expected on Friday

Nov 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

One of the pro-democracy advocates on trial with Cardinal Joseph Zen was recently arrested under Hong Kong’s national security law. Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Catholic University awards honorary degree to imprisoned human rights advocate Jimmy Lai

May 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Catholic University of America on Saturday awarded an honorary degree to imprisoned Hong Kong human rights advocate Jimmy Lai.... 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.

Catholic Hong Kong activist honored at prayer breakfast  

Sep 14, 2021

By Matt Hadro

A Hong Kong Catholic democracy advocate was honored in absentia on Tuesday at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington,... Read more

An editor prepares the final edition of the Apple Daily.

Activist: China’s ‘killing’ of Hong Kong paper has ‘serious implications’ for religious liberty

Jun 29, 2021

By CNA Staff

Benedict Rogers said Apple Daily’s closure was not simply a blow to press freedom. Read more

Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrving at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, Hong Kong, Oct. 15, 2020.

Pro-democracy Catholic Jimmy Lai denied bail in Hong Kong

Feb 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

Hong Kong’s highest court on Tuesday denied bail to Catholic media tycoon Jimmy Lai, whom police arrested last summer for... Read more

Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrving at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, Hong Kong, Oct. 15, 2020.

Cardinal Zen: Jimmy Lai arrest is part of campaign of ‘political intimidation’

Dec 10, 2020

By Ed Condon

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun has warned that the recent arrest of Jimmy Lai shows a rise in “political intimidation” against... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Catholic Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai: ‘The Lord is suffering with me’

Oct 7, 2020

A recently arrested Hong Kong entrepreneur and media executive said this week that he plans to stay in Hong Kong... Read more