Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement, 10 Years Later
October 13, 2024 7:39 AM Subscribe
The protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong has been banned this year under Hong Kong's National Security Law, which criminalizes advocating for "secession from China" or "seditious activities. Looking back, Hong Kongers reflect on where they started, and where they are now: “I thought 2014 was shit at that time, but compared to 2019 it was just a piece of cake,” she says. “I was so naive, believing the government would be sensible, respect people’s voice, and abide by the promise in the Basic Law. But now I can say I was totally wrong.” HKFreePress follows up on 12 leaders of the protest movement and where they are today. Founder of defunct Apple Daily Jimmy Lai was denied a request for a jury trial for his libel case against a pro-Beijing newspaper. (Previously, previously, previously.
Some have left for the UK and Taiwan. There are a few in Hong Kong who, after having been arrested a time or two, have been released and live in Hong Kong still. Some have been convicted under the National Security Law and are in prison. Jimmy Lai has bipartisan US support, whatever that's worth.
posted by toastyk at 8:23 AM on October 13
posted by toastyk at 8:23 AM on October 13
Right, but I guess what I meant was more that I read many articles over the last decade about how smart and coordinated and innovative the Hong Kong protesters were, and wouldn't it be great if leftist demonstrators in the US could be that organized etc etc. It's very depressing that it seems like all of that effort essentially failed.
posted by Wretch729 at 12:47 PM on October 13 [2 favorites]
posted by Wretch729 at 12:47 PM on October 13 [2 favorites]
Wretch, all those articles were, not to put too fine a point on it, very dumb. The Hong Kong protests were a self-indulgent theater with zero chance of changing CPC policy to suit the protestors' aim. Serious Hong Kongers scorned the protestors as they brought closer the day that the CPC might end as a matter of principle Hong Kong's independent commercial legal system, free foreign exchanger rules, less restricted travel, access to the foreign internet, etc.
posted by MattD at 1:34 PM on October 13
posted by MattD at 1:34 PM on October 13
Matt, who would you consider to be "serious Hong Kongers"
posted by cultanthropologist at 4:33 PM on October 13 [1 favorite]
posted by cultanthropologist at 4:33 PM on October 13 [1 favorite]
« Older 50 Years of SNL’s Graphic Parodies | Take a look, it’s in a book Newer »
posted by Wretch729 at 8:12 AM on October 13 [3 favorites]