Hong Kong Protests Day 5 - The Signs

“Freedom means the opportunity to be what we never thought we would be." ~Daniel Boorstin, American historian

Wednesday - October 1, 2014

Today is the start of China’s National Day, a week-long celebration of national pride, unity and, above all else, social harmony. The irony of the National Day celebrations coinciding with what’s occurring in Hong Kong this week has not been lost on any of us here in the city.

For several days now large military-type helicopters have been circling the harbor; and for the last two mornings, the helicopters were followed by two military jets sweeping across the harbor in a commanding show of force. Although the jets don’t look overly threatening (as Chris says, “They look like mail planes!”), the statement hasn’t been lost on Hong Kong’s citizens - even the news anchors at CNN made mention of the fly-bys in their morning broadcasts.

This morning the helicopters were carrying the flag of China on their tour of the harbor – a huge red reminder that Hong Kong is, indeed, a part of China. Although both Hong Kong and China have agreed to a “one nation, two systems” form of government, it appears China intends to impose it’s rule of law long before the legally-imposed 50-year transition period is over. Watching several interviews with past and present members of Hong Kong’s government this week, even those at the highest levels appear to be shocked by what’s happening.

The most recent arguments (and the reason for the current protests) stem from the fact that while China is appearing to allow “free elections” of Hong Kong officials, all candidates must be vetted and approved by the central government in Beijing before they can be considered for the nomination. The citizens of Hong Kong see this as merely a sham of the democratic process and are calling for the current head of the HKG government to step down, allowing fully open democratic elections to take place, something Beijing is categorically refusing to consider.

It was only a few years ago another student protest broke out when Beijing imposed mandatory “political re-education” in Hong Kong's schools, requiring students to be instructed about the communist regime as part of their core curriculum. Those protests were successfully carried out, the order was rescinded and, as a result, the precedent was set for what the students hope to achieve through these current demonstrations.

There are signs screaming for democracy posted on every bus stop and taped to street signs like this one. The main traffic routes through Central continue to be effectively blocked by the crowds; they’ve put up tents, constructed food and water stations, even brought in make-shift bookshelves and newspaper stands. Their numbers are swelling and there’s no sign of them disbanding, no matter how loudly the Hong Kong police call for them to disperse.

Their cry is loud and clear – they’re calling for their city to join them “all in or nothing” in their “fight for democracy.” And the world continues to listen.