Spotted in more than one MTR station
One of the hundreds of signs stuck onto the "democracy bus"
parked in the Mongkok area of Nathan Road
In just a little less than one hour's time, the deadline given by at least one protest group here in Hong Kong for the territory's Chief Executive, Leung Chun Ying, to resign will pass.
Much as I would love for 689 to comply with the wishes of the protestors, I can't see this particular development taking place. I worry too that the good mood of recent days -- and even earlier today -- will soon dissipate and violence (on the part of the police) will soon ensue. (And I know that I'm not the only one who does so -- what with several friends sending messages to "take care" this evening.)
From what I have personally witnessed, the behavior of the Occupy Hong Kong participants have been utterly exemplary. And even while I don't entirely agree with the stated decision of some of its leaders to escalate the situation, I can understand why they think there is a need to do so.
Over on the other side: is it really too much to ask for the authorities to give peace more of a chance? This especially since, in doing so, they'd only be matching participants in the Umbrella Revolution in terms of being extraordinarily civil and admirably non-violent.
2 comments:
Hi Yvonne,
Thanks for your continuing coverage of the events on the street. I've been glued to the tv news reports and online information sources...My fear is that Hong Kongers will end up with less civil rights than they had before the protests began.
Bill
Hi Bill --
Thank you for reading. I hope that through my blog, I can play a part, however small, in helping people, especially those outside Hong Kong, get a better idea of how it feels here right now.
Re fearing that Hong Kongers will end up with less civil rights: that's for the future. I think the key point is that matters have reached a point where people feel they have to take some action to protest at how bad it's already become now.
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