The Canadian Front | 20-year-old first aider arrested at PolyU, appreciating the true value of freedom upon return to Toronto

(News from North America) During November last year, Hongkongers stayed up late into the nights; before the defence of Chinese University could end, the “Siege of PolyU" had begun. The protesters did not rest after leaving CUHK and rushed to the walls of the red-bricked campus to support their fellows. Among them was Logan, a 20-year-old volunteer first aider. Logan was arrested at PolyU, despite being devoted to saving lives. After being released on bail, he returned to his birthplace in Canada. Speaking with Apple Daily, he still felt the fear recounting his experience. He knows that he can no longer set foot in Hong Kong, yet he has no regrets having sacrificed blood, sweat and tears for the city he loves.

Logan never regretted going back to Hong Kong to fight. He only resents himself for not doing more, taking one more step, or saving one more person.

Logan, whose parents are from Hong Kong was born and raised in Canada. He used to tour Hong Kong like a tourist when he was young. The 2014 Umbrella Movement was when he first realised his identity as a Hongkonger. “I realised that Hong Kong people could be peaceful, as can be seen with the PRN movement (Peaceful, Rational, Non-violent). I became proud of having parents from Hong Kong. I recognised my identity as a Hongkonger.” Eventually, the Umbrella Movement ended and the political atmosphere in Hong Kong cooled down. Young people ventured across the border for leisure. Logan thought that “Hong Kong is dead”, but then saw hope again last summer, “I was surprised by the massive turnout at the 9 June rally”. Logan, who was paying close attention to the events, decided to return to Hong Kong to participate in the struggle and volunteer as a first aider after witnessing the "Prince Edward Station 8.31" incident on the live stream.

During Logan's stay in Hong Kong, he participated in many protests. And "PolyU Siege" became his "final battle", and it was the one which he felt most helpless.

Logan said that he had been busy since noon on November 17th, and the callouts for first-aiders did not stop. He once saw a burned protester trying to treat himself on campus, pulling off his own sleeve but together tearing off his skin. At that time, Logan, who lacked resources, could only disinfect and bandage the wounded. "As a volunteer, I had little medical supplies to work with. I feel like I was in a war. Knowing that I had no supplies and was unable to help them, and could only console them.”

He recalled that the campus was full of injured people. He hurried to another corner to help, and returned to his original spot two hours later, then found that burned protester had already left. Whenever Logan thinks about leaving his "siblings" (fellow protestors), he regrets it, "The most painful thing is that you have to choose whom to help. The most painful thing is that you have to decide which person you have the ability to help and which person you are unable to help, not just helping whomever you come across.”

Logan said that as the Siege went on, the atmosphere on the campus became more depressed. "Half of the people still seemed calm, but there are many people where you will see the panic in their eyes." Everyone inside walls is in danger and has no room for thinking. Logan followed the majority, "Some people said that one side is safer, and everyone will rush there, and some people will go there together. At that moment, there is no room for you to think." After learning that some of the protesters had managed to escape, Logan followed. The group escaped from the university along the route of previous escapees, but was still arrested because the route soon was exposed.

After being released on bail, Logan moved back to Canada while his parents stayed in Hong Kong. He believed that it would be difficult for him to once again set foot in this land that he tried his best to protect, but he has no regrets. “The identity of a Hong Konger is important to me. I don’t think anyone, not my school or friends, can take that away from me.” The experience of living in Hong Kong and Canada made him cherish freedom even more. “The thing that has had the greatest impact on me is the price of freedom. I grew up in Canada. Everyone is free here. Everyone can do what they want. It's hard to appreciate the true value of this freedom.”

The "anti-extradition law amendment bill” movement continues, and so far over 10,000 people have paid the price, but did not get the freedom they so desired. Hong Kong has since been overshadowed by the haze of the National Security Law. The protest movement has gradually faded. Logan expressed his understanding, but hoped that fellow protestors will not resort to infighting, “I, and perhaps many who are in other countries, share in a conflicted emotion, and that is the wish that I could have done more while I was in Hong Kong. I often ask myself whether I could bear to face those who have sacrificed for me. I feel that “yellow infighting” (conflicts among the yellow camp, judging fellow citizens who give less devotion to the protests) should be fighting against oneself, and not with each other.” To make up for the regret of not being able to stay in Hong Kong, Logan, who is on the other side of the planet, joined the ”Canadian Front", hoping to carry forward the belief and faith, and to keep on contributing with every ounce of effort.

Source：AppleDaily #Dec03

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https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201203/FQK6CV7OBNBMRHKLZ7MDKYPNIQ/