Nine pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have pleaded not guilty in a trial seen as a test of judicial independence from Beijing.

They have been charged with “public nuisance” over the 2014 “Umbrella” movement that demanded Hong Kong choose its own leader.

Three of those accused founded the civil disobedience movement before student groups joined in.

At its peak, thousands of protesters paralysed parts of the city for months.

The charges carry jail terms of up to seven years.

The trial has been described as “politically motivated prosecution” amounting to “an attack on free speech and peaceful assembly” by rights group Amnesty International.

The other six accused include lawmakers and students.

Accused of ‘injury to the public’

Among the nine accused are sociology professor Chan Kin-man, 59, law professor Benny Tai, 54, and Baptist minister Chu Yiu-ming, 74, who founded the “Occupy Central” movement in 2013.

It was in reaction to a decision made by China that it would allow direct elections in 2017, but only from a list of candidates pre-approved by Beijing.

Many people in Hong Kong believe they should have the right to elect their own leader.

A year later, the three activists’ call for non-violent civil disobedience joined with student-led protests and snowballed into the massive demonstrations.

Hong Kong’s courts have already convicted three students of unlawful assembly over the protests.

The prosecution in this trial argued these demonstrations caused “common injury done to the public”, by locking down parts of the city-centre

The protests became known as the Umbrella movement after people used umbrellas to shield themselves from tear gas fired by police to disperse the crowd.

China and Hong Kong have a “one country, two system” agreement, with freedom of speech and press freedom among the key liberties that set Hong Kong apart from the mainland.

‘We will become stronger’

The accused were met on their way into court by supporters shouting slogans like “Peaceful resistance! I wanted real universal suffrage!” in support.

A verdict is expected in around 20 days.

Last week, Professor Chan had given an emotional farewell lecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, announcing his early retirement.

“So long as we are not crushed by imprisonment and trial and do not become overly frustrated and angry, then we will become stronger and we can inspire many more people,” he told the audience.

At the heart of the protests is a growing concern in Hong Kong about what is perceived to be China’s increasing influence in the city.

Beijing is highly sensitive about Hong Kong’s status and any calls for more autonomy from China.

The former British colony was handed back in 1997 on condition it would retain “a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs” for 50 years.

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