JOIT is still on hiatus, but in light of the current increasing unrest in Hong Kong, we’re re-releasing this episode from the winter of 2018, with a new introduction from Julie. Benny Tai has spent the last few months in prison, but thankfully is currently out on bail ahead of an appeal. We wish Benny and all those involved in the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong success and safety.
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Benny Tai, Professor of Constitutional Law
This week [March 2018] Julie talks to Benny Tai Yiu-ting, professor of constitutional law at Hong Kong University. Prof. Tai has argued that civil disobedience may be necessary for achieving universal suffrage in Hong Kong, and has become the leader of Hong Kong’s Occupy movement, and what has come to be known as the Umbrella movement for democracy. He has also been charged with three counts of public nuisance following the end of the Occupy demonstrations calling for universal suffrage, which took place in Hong Kong in 2014. Each of these charges carries a maximum prison term of 7 years. Professor Tai is awaiting sentencing. In this conversation, Benny Tai is joined by two law students who share their thoughts about the democracy movement. In other news, LFO announces a new core funding program for A2J non-profits; Precedent Magazine publishes an important piece on the mental health crisis among lawyers; and Julie’s latest blog post discusses the NSRLP’s new court transcripts project.
Related Links:
*Hong Kong pro-democracy leader Benny Tai released on bail (Al Jazeera)
Background on the Hong Kong Occupy Central Movement
Timeline of events (Human Rights in China.org)
Charges against Prof. Tai and his co-founders (South China Morning Post)
Additional information and documents related to the movement (Occupy Central website)
Ontario Law Society call for charges against Prof. Tai to be dropped (LSO)
Other News
Law Foundation of Ontario’s new core funding program for non-profits (LFO)
The mental-health crisis in law (Precedent Magazine)
NSRLP’s new project on court transcripts
Jumping Off the Ivory Tower is produced and hosted by Julie Macfarlane and Dayna Cornwall; promotion by Moya McAlister and Ali Tejani.