Close-up: From "Five Demands" to "Hong Kong Independence". A new phase of resistance under the National Security Law

(25 May)Ever since the Wuhan pneumonia stormed the world, Hong Kong's Anti-ELAB movement was put on hold until Beijing recently took the reins to formulate "Hong Kong's National Security Law". Tens of thousands of people returned to the streets against the backdrop of teargas smoke everywhere. Having experienced nearly a year of resistance, the protesters of today appeared slightly different from before. As the National Security Law draws near, their slogans no longer stop at "Five demands". Some of them are demanding true "Hong Kong independence".

A slogan's evolution from "Five demands" to "Hong Kong independence"

With cameras in hand, Stand News journalist entered the crowds today. They realised that the [Cantonese] 8-character slogan, "Five demands, not one less" has evolved into "Hong Kong independence, the only way out". Under Hong Kong's National Security Law, the demands of Hongkongers appeared to change. Shouting "Hong Kong independence" was no longer limited to youngers. Older generations joined in.

In the past 6 months, 50-year old Guenjie (pseudonym) had participated in the movement as a Peaceful* protester. She witnessed anti-riot police beating up youngsters with batons in Mong Kok. At the time, not only she was unable to prevent it, but she also got pepper-sprayed. She admitted that when the movement began, she never wanted Hong Kong independence. The slogan she shouted was merely "Carrie Lam step down". She remarked, "Destroying the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] was unnecessary. It's just [our] faulty government. If Carrie Lam stepped down, it would've been fine. But that is not the case now. There is no other way except for independence." She still insists on taking to the streets today because her heart breaks for the youngsters. Having lived in Northern Ireland for two decades, she said of the rapidly worsening brutality, "No matter how chaotic it was (back there), they were never beaten like this." Witnessing the advance of the National Security Law, she said remorsefully, "Hongkongers originally didn't care about politics. If there is blame, then put it on our generation. While the Sino-British [Declaration] negotiations were happening, Hongkongers were occupied with making money."

Mr Ko is in his 60s and lives near Causeway Bay. He was among the last to stay on the Canal Road Flyover. He said that he joined every demonstration. Despite feeling helpless, he kept shouting "Hong Kong independence, the only way out" until he lost his voice. He frankly stated, "I am pessimistic, and I do not see how the past year has changed anything." Becoming "one country, one system" seems to be Hong Kong's fate. He observed that Hong Kong's children were too kindhearted and innocent. They were devoted to Hong Kong. "They don't even know how to hold a broom; they don't have the strength to carry a bamboo [scaffolding]; they're the ones who miss when throwing Molotov cocktails; those are Hongkongers... I've seen girls on the frontlines. It's tragic. It really is tragic..." He sobbed as he spoke. This was his belief on facing the cruel and vile CCP: "You want to talk compassion with a tiger? How will you do that? You want to speak about benevolence with the Blue camp? Those people have no conscience." He wished that youngsters would cherish themselves and not sacrifice their lives in the fight. "Wait until you're grown up and capable, then change society."

Fully geared "fighters" are rare

Over the greater half of last year, fully geared frontline fighters roamed among the flames on the streets. Today, however, the press witnessed a majority of ordinary citizens in surgical masks. Those wearing gas masks resembling pig noses were rare. On Gloucester Road, where people were blockading the way, parents stood in front of private cars with their children in tow and foreigners helped set up roadblocks. Black bloc frontline fighters were nowhere to be seen. Resistance tactics we are no longer as "brave". There was barely a Molotov cocktail the entire day and no massive roadblocks. Resistance took the mostly passive forms of chanting slogans, demonstrations and following the majority.

With the advent of the National Security Law, Hojai (pseudonym), who experienced the Siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, chose to stay until the very end. He said that coming out today required more courage than before and that more crowds were needed so it "feels less frightening". "The National Security Law is a harbinger for 'one country, one system'. It's not about yellow or blue camps. Regardless of political view, you still want to maintain the status quo of 'one country, two systems'."

Having gone through the resistance for a good half of the year and experienced the "baptism" of being arrested, he is no longer worried about the risk of "going on the battlefield" because he has a deep understanding of how the police operate. "You learn to improvise from being in these situations a lot. You know that police rush up to you to make you scared. If you start running, they will think you committed a crime and catch you. Rather, you will be fine if stand where you are and don't move." Regarding the demonstration's smaller turnout today, he was not discouraged. He said optimistically, "After writing the DSE and the epidemic, they will return in July."

Editor's Note:

* "Peaceful" in this context refers to peaceful, rational, non-violent

Source: The Stand News

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