The act of manifesting basically consists in exposing (based on generally well-founded concepts and ideas) some kind of acute dissatisfaction with something that is wrong. This kind of attitude is definitely not recent, because the most diverse types of manifestations have always been part of human history.
Recently, however, the number and level of these mass movements have been reaching extremely high numbers and bringing with them alarming consequences not only for the citizens who participate in them (alone or in groups), but for society as a whole and one of the many. Countries that for months seems to be in the eye of the hurricane is Hong Kong.
The wave of protests that is plaguing this nation began more precisely in June this year. The reason? The refusal of a large part of the population against a controversial bill (drafting in April) which allowed the extradition of suspected criminals - under certain circumstances - to mainland China. That was the spark that quickly became something much bigger and more challenging.
The argument against this project refers to the imminent exposure of citizens to unfair trials and very violent treatment... Not to mention the fact that China would have even greater influence over Hong Kong. Also not really pleasing the local population in any respect, this project "strategy" could be a succumbing route to attack journalists and activists in the most deliberate ways possible.
After thousands of people mobilized against this bill (something that lasted weeks), Carrie Lam - the country's leader - had no alternative but to suspend (at least at that time of such turbulence) the bill indefinitely. Soon the protesters won the victory they fought so hard to achieve... But the peace in Hong Kong would still be far from over.
Trying to prevent the project from ever being resumed by the government, demonstrations continued so that it could be completely overthrown. Amid this journey of perilous consequences, the physical violence behind the clashes between protesters and the police has become a common scenario. Almost always carried out by unacceptable acts, the attacks continue to intensify until they become uncontrollable.
Amid all this chaotic scenario, the protesters decided to radicalize and in July, they invaded the Parliament. Part of the structure was vandalized and this further piqued the thirst for more protests by citizens (who believe they are showing the rulers that the people have a voice and need to be heard / respected), but it has also inflated security measures against future manifestations.
In August, when a militant was injured in the eye, there was an act of commotion that overwhelmed the public on the street protesting: they began wearing eye-caps made of gauze and red paint. The idea was to create a solidarity network to have a worldwide reach and the dissemination of the act on the Internet, through the most diverse types of media and social platforms, they ensure. The world was aware of everything that was happening in the country.
The wave of protest gained a new chapter when Hong Kong International Airport became the main stage for new clashes. This also happened in August, and in addition to the usual violence, there was a lot of material damage and cancellations of various flights (causing a lot of inconvenience for those who depended - directly or indirectly - on the location, whether for work or travel).
Finally, in September, the project that started all this confusion of immeasurable proportions was overthrown. However, the protesters considered this government attitude to be a "backward act", something that came later and that after all the trouble generated was "too little" to repair any damage that was already more than explicit.
Because of this political resistance from the population, more episodes of violence continued to emerge and get even bloodier. By the time October began, amid the 70th celebration of China's communist government, Hong Kong was experiencing one of its most troubled and chaotic days. Two sides of the same coin with such different realities put more fuel in the fire that shows no indication that it will be put out.
Innocents being shot (with rubber bullets and real bullets) in human chains, direct clashes with explosive coccitels, iron rods, stones, pepper spray and various other artifacts have increasingly gained furious supporters and the space for more demonstrations goes on and on, growing up in majors sclares. In addition to the civilians, officials also suffered from the attacks, for example: a pro-Beijing deputy who was cowardly stabbed in the middle of the street by a man who pretended to be a member of his party.
In an attempt to discourage protesters, the government banned the use of protesters by masks ... But the idea had no effect, because they who bought this fight continued to defy all those who tried to stop them. The increasingly united people, even in the midst of so many bad events, are being able to show that together, a nation is much stronger than a government (even if this political unity has so much power in its hands).
Chaos continues to dominate Hong Kong, but what do protesters finally want? Why this resistance to keeping the protests alive and in full force?
This is the "trophy" the protesters crave, and the measures that are part of the demands they are currently fighting for are four:
#01. Protests cannot be characterized as "riot";
#02. Implement full universal suffrage;
#03. Conduct an independent investigation (on alleged police violence);
#04. To protesters arrested, that the amnesty be granted without "tricky" protocols.
PS: The fifth demand (which would be to overturn the notorious bill) has already been met and another issue that is being discussed is Carrie Lam's resignation, because she is considered a "puppet" in Beijing's hands.
The end of this political and social war does not yet have a final chapter written, but the fact is that the breadth of these acts has been able to inspire many other places to march: France, USA, Canada, The United Kingdom and Australia joined the fray for Hong Kong and reinforced the protests with an incredible extra dose of humanized politics, endorsing the freedom of the people who can and should fight for their rights.
In the midst of any revolution there will always be opposing sides, but in the end, those who resist and fight for the right motives (even though they suffer greatly in the process) achieve their goals. It's not about winning or losing (because it's not a competition), it's about showing who you think has the most power and influence over others, that they are just the same as everyone else.
A united people is a strong people and working together for the same ideas (though not in such a common or orthodoxic way), it is possible to overthrow any system. The voice of a nation that has the courage to impose itself against any kind of tyranny deserves much more than just being heard... It deserves to be respected in its fullness, because all the motivations of the citizens who go to the bottom line. The front has something in common among its protestors and each of these ideas is connected, representing so many other people working behind the scenes (and deserve no less recognition for it) in search of justice, respect, love, freedom and equality.
This post is shared to Twitter in support of @ocd and @ocdb's #posh initiative.
https://twitter.com/wiseagent_apo/status/1200233609635995648
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Their violent actions send a strong message to all the anti-government protestors around the world that only extreme violence can force their governments to change.
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