7 incredible reasons why you should respect the Hong Kong protesters
Hong Kongers took to the streets yesterday to protest a controversial bill that would allow extradition to mainland China.
The former British colony currently operates with an independent legal system, free press and unrestricted internet. If this bill is passed, it would give China the right to arrest alleged criminals in Hong Kong.
Essentially, this would give China the power to “legally
abduct†critics of the regime.
The debate over the extradition bill was scheduled to take place yesterday, but thousands of activists formed a blockade around the government headquarters to prevent lawmakers from participating.
Just like when Malaysians were met with hostility during some of the Bersih protests, the Hong Kong protesters were met with police decked in riot gear.
However, the key difference is how well prepared the Hong Kong protesters were. Here’s what they did:
1. Armed with protective gear of their own
Face mask? Check
Eye goggles? Check
Helmet? Check
Umbrella? Check
2. Using cash to buy public transportation tickets to stop authorities from tracking their movements.
Long queues were spotted at the MTR ticket machines as protesters purchased their tickets with cash instead of using the contactless Octopus card.
Verna Yu confirms that people at train/metro stations in Hong Kong are buying paper tickets because they fear police will track them through their Octopus Card and know they were at the protest. Huge queues for tickets. pic.twitter.com/SRZOH4tRaP
— Kate Lyons (@MsKateLyons) June 12, 2019
There is usually never a line at the train ticketing machines. Judging from an overheard convo, it appears that people are reluctant to use their rechargeable Octopus cards for fear of leaving a paper trail of them having been present at the protest. pic.twitter.com/s1rsgSnCqL
— Mary Hui (@maryhui) June 12, 2019
3. Taking advantage of the crowd control mechanisms.
Just as the tweet below shows, the protesters took metal barriers meant to contain them and positioned them to from blockades around the Legislative Building (where the debate was supposed to take place) instead.
Metal fences, initially set up by Hong Kong police for crowd control, have been torn down by protesters and used to build barricades to block the roads around the Legislative Council building: https://t.co/nu6iHffaW1 pic.twitter.com/BrGwOvUiWF
— CNN International (@cnni) June 12, 2019
4. Using vehicles to block roads
The roads leading to the Legislative building were also blocked by cars and busses.
Drivers and even buses joining today’s protest in Hong Kong.😎#ExtraditionLaw #hongkongersareback#HongKong pic.twitter.com/5FqSBLOFa1
— Denise Ho (HOCC) (@hoccgoomusic) June 12, 2019
5. Using water to neutralise tear gas
So simple.. yet so brilliant.
Some surreal things happening now in Hong Kong protests pic.twitter.com/JDDrGHgjO7
— Strategic Sentinel (@StratSentinel) June 12, 2019
6. Bringing extras to help each other out
In the video below, protesters quickly gave this reporter an umbrella and helmet when the police started firing tear gas in their direction.
Hong Kong’s youth protestors are kind. I post this clip to say thanks. @CBSrandy was rolling when the police fired tear gas at the group we were in. An umbrella and helmet were forced on me. I’ll prob never know who they are but I’m so grateful for their care. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/NNAsFjpXOP
— Ramy Inocencio 英若明 (@RamyInocencio) June 13, 2019
Organisers also had stockpiles ready to be handed out.
Hongkong-style “supplies booth†reemerged again: masks, water, pads, goggles, paper towels #extraditionbill @SCMPNews pic.twitter.com/TLF7ewyDnH
— Jeffie Lam (@jeffielam) June 12, 2019
7. They cleaned up after themselves
Despite the exhaustion and brutality of the protests, they still stopped to clean up the city, throw away rubbish and even sorted out the recyclables!
2am in the morning, young Hong Kong protesters volunteering to pick up the trash after all the chaos.
That, is the quality of our people.#HongKong pic.twitter.com/057coxzpw9
— Denise Ho (HOCC) (@hoccgoomusic) June 12, 2019
A small crowd is back outside the Hong Kong government offices…to clean up the rubbish. To sort out recyclables and unused materials, and clean up the rubbish. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/uPRcs0SLJ5
— Mary Hui (@maryhui) June 13, 2019
While the protesters were well prepared to face opposition, it did not stop violence from breaking out. Police fired rubber bullets and assaulted the unarmed protesters.
This is Hong Kong Police #HongKongProtest pic.twitter.com/ful9lOHDlp
— williamcwk (@wcwkmoney) June 12, 2019
Protestor got shot by HONG KONG police. #HongKongProtest please share. Solidarity with HK pic.twitter.com/uKEInaa2gI
— Emily Ching (@Emchingcman) June 12, 2019
Hong Kong is my home
And to watch how our government is treating the people
I’m heartbroken
Please share this so the world can see
We need your help#HongKongProtest #ExtraditionBill pic.twitter.com/hFCQJ7ECJh— ʀᴀᴄʜᴇʟ✨ (@racsiw5) June 12, 2019
Hong Kong is currently in shock after the long day and night of protest. CNN reports that at least two people are currently hospitalised with serious injuries.
We’re incredibly moved by the powerful images and videos we’ve
seen of the protest and our thoughts and prayers go to the resilient people of
Hong Kong.
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