Dear Raphael,
        Another two weeks since we last met in Stanley. I am delighted to know that you had cast ballot in the by-election. It is of paramount importance that we exercise every civil rights that guaranteed by constitution, the Basic Law, especially in times when promises of rights and freedoms are no longer honoured. 
        Just as you predicted, the first week at Council was uneasy. While my office struggles to catch up the work with limited manpower, I take part in seven panels and a number of committees, in particular I devote most of the time in the Bills Committee on Express Rail Link, scrutinizing the controversial co-location arrangement. These duties come with heavy weight, not only because the preparation it requires are tedious, also for I have been entrusted by a hundred and thirty thousand citizens, who disagreed with the government’s decision to disqualify Nathan, and subsequently Agnes, who still remain a glimmer of hope for the rule of law in Hong Kong.
What appalled me is that, officials have no intention to address to the queries by members, the Chairperson had never held the meeting in an orderly fashion. Time and again, we are asked to rushing into discussing each clauses, regardless of grave injustice and evident constitutional disputes. As I protested in front of officials, I was wrestled to the ground by a number of security guards. 
Yet, despite all these seemingly difficult battles ahead, the most challenging task to me is to safeguard the freedom of speech under huge political pressure. Take a look at the cards played by the Chinese authorities: On the day after I was elected, pro-Beijing camp lodged judicial review against the validity of my seat. Although the court declined the case last Thursday, the attack against democrats has not stopped. 
More recently, top Beijing delegate warned to ban advocates of ending ‘one-party dictatorship’ from standing in election, meaning that in the future the entire democratic camp might be eliminated in the legislature. Ahead of us there is another piece of controversial legislation regulating people’s behaviour to national anthem. Clearly all these moves would lead to a society without dissent, a community without independent opinion. And in a city proclaiming herself as diverse and liberal, every one of us, from pro-unification to pro-independence, cannot avoid the question posed in front of us: shall we remain silent in the face of tyranny or shall we speak out the truth? I see the answer crystal clear, (that said in the Gospel of Mark, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand”). We must hold on to truth, we must speak up in every opportunity while remain tolerant to dissent, and we must stand together, as one team, as one move. I think it is the best shield to the freedom of speech. 
Raphael, never ever would the darkness have been as real as at present. We all understand the truth present to us -- a bitter defeat to the democratic camp, a full-scale crackdown on activists like you and our younger friends like Nathan and Edward. The daunting task to achieve democracy at the moment looks like a fight for the impossibles. But as Max Weber enlightened us in university, ‘’Politics is a strong and slow boring of hard boards. It takes both passion and perspective’’. Certainly some of our friends have withdrawn the passion after the Umbrella Movement, but the seeds are planted in our hearts and will grow in our souls. 
 
Last week in America, The March for Our Lives campaign led by student activists, successfully revitalized the discussion of gun control in the past fifty years. They might once think they are fighting for the impossibles, but they have reached the beacon now. We should also be the change that we seek. The advancement of society relies on gradual and accumulating work by each of us. I’m optimistic, and I look forward to your return. 
Yours,
Nok-hin