Seven years after Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement was suppressed, Joy Luk, the city’s first and only blind lawyer, has resumed her legal career in Toronto as a refugee. Despite the distance and time, Luk continues to grapple with the trauma of the 2019 protests and remains committed to the cause that defined a significant part of her life.
Luk, 47, fled Hong Kong in 2021 amid a Chinese government-backed crackdown that followed mass demonstrations opposing a controversial extradition law. The law, which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, sparked protests involving up to a million people and ultimately led to a sweeping erosion of political freedoms under a Beijing-endorsed National Security Law. During the unrest, Luk, who is nearly blind from birth, defied the risks by providing legal guidance to protesters on the ground and sharing information about police tactics she discerned through her keen hearing.
Her activism came at great personal cost. Luk suffered physical injuries, including a broken arm after police dispersed gatherings forcefully. She was arrested without charges and regularly subjected to police searches and intimidation at home. She also developed post-traumatic stress disorder, experiencing nightmares and anxiety triggered by sudden noises or knocks on her door. Despite these hardships, Luk’s resolve remained firm, motivated by a sense of duty and the sacrifices of younger protesters.
After arriving in Canada, Luk pursued a Global Professional Master of Laws degree at the University of Toronto and passed Ontario’s bar exams, overcoming additional obstacles posed by her blindness. She adapted using technology that converts text to speech to study, and relied on artificial intelligence tools to interpret visual materials required in the exams. Luk credited her success to determination and support from Toronto-area advocates and donors, including former Conservative Senator Con Di Nino, who described her as one of the most courageous people he has known.
Currently working part-time at a law firm in Markham, just north of Toronto, Luk remains an outspoken advocate on democratic rights and the protection of dissent. She has participated in vigils commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre, spoken against the criminalization of political expression, and protested outside China’s consulate in Toronto.
Luk expressed concern about Canada’s current federal government prioritizing improved relations with China following U.S. tariffs. She fears this approach neglects the plight of Hong Kong and other Chinese dissidents enduring political repression. “We are very disappointed,” she said, suggesting that economic interests might be taking precedence over human rights.
Born nearly blind, Luk’s interest in law began early, inspired by a desire to defend the disabled. Her initial legal career focused on general law and disability rights before becoming deeply involved in Hong Kong’s democracy movement. After the crackdown and amid growing restrictions, she determined that continuing human rights work in Hong Kong was no longer viable and chose Canada as a more inclusive refuge.
As she rebuilds her life and career, Luk stresses the importance of remembering the 2019 protests. She warns that without sustained attention, the events risk being forgotten, as has happened before with the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. “We have no choice but to do something,” she said, underscoring her ongoing commitment to the struggle for freedom and justice.