Hong Kong students form human chain along Shing Mun River in support of Extradition Bill protests
Written by Kristen Wen
Hundreds of students voluntarily gathered around Shing Mun River to voice their frustration with the Hong Kong government. Picture by Hubert Leong.
With protests in Hong Kong crossing 100 days, “one country, two systems” has undergone a trial by fire. On September 19th at 6pm, the accumulation of anger toward the inaction of the Hong Kong government and police brutality propelled students in and near the Shatin district to congregate around the Shing Mun River.
Students, wearing masks and some wearing helmets, from thirty different schools joined hands with each other while chanting ‘Restore Hong Kong, revolution for our times.’ Posters and slogans such as ‘There are no rioters, only a tyrannical regime’ and ‘Five demands, not one less’ were spray-painted or stuck onto the walls under the bridge.
Organizers of this human chain activity: M (left) and K (right). Picture by Kristen Wen.
“There is no point for the students to study for their future when there is none”
K. expressed his concern and anger at the events of August 31, where elite officers stormed the platform and train carriages and beat people with batons. ‘[The refusal to hand out the MTR footage on the night of violence in Prince Edward Station] is a direct challenge to the freedom to information and the press of Hong Kong, and will only fuel the distrust between the public and the authorities.’ He also talked about his worries about how to balance academics with advocating for Hong Kong democracy. In the end, he said, ‘There is no point for the students to study for their future when there is none.’
Students with self-made banners. ‘Dong Teet’, ‘Stop the violence. We are not rioters.’, ‘Restore Hong Kong, revolution of our times’ and ‘Don’t be afraid of White Terror’ (from left to right). Picture by Kristen Wen.
Due to the fact that Hong Kong local schools depend heavily on government funds, students are not encouraged and often will be dismissed if they participate in or even discuss politics on the school campus. Tang, an 18-year-old high school student, considered her school to be more open-minded than others, which she later explained that was because of the Democracy Wall set up on the school campus which allowed people with different perspectives to put down their opinions. ‘Students are disciplined and respectful as we all understand the definition of freedom of speech.’ When asked whether or not the school would be scared that the government would cut down the funding, she replied, ‘The more we fear, the more power she [Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor] has.’
“This revolution is not about nationality, rather morality.”
As the students gathered, more and more people from different age groups started to join in to show their support for the students. Food and water were continuously supplied to the demonstrators, however, most declined by saying, ‘give it the next guy’.
At around 6:30 pm, a protest theme song, Glory to Hong Kong, was sung by hundreds of people while holding up their flashlights. (See the lyrics at the end of the article). Picture by Hubert Leong.
Yoanna, a 17-year old Hong Kong local school student with a foreign passport, after being asked whether students with foreign passports have the right or responsibility to be involved in Hong Kong domestic protest, replied, ‘Absolutely!’
‘The reason why my family came to this land, for business or any other purposes, is because we love how Hong Kong is a place of democracy and freedom. We feel safe on this land that is ruled under the Rule of Law. Now that the core values of Hong Kong are being violated and challenged, wouldn’t you want to come out and protest the things that drew you here in the first place? This revolution is not about nationality, rather morality.’
Lyrics (Chinese version) of the protest theme song, Glory to Hong Kong
《願榮光歸香港》
何以 這土地 淚再流
何以 令眾人 亦憤恨
昂首 拒默沉 吶喊聲 響透
盼自由 歸於 這裡
何以 這恐懼 抹不走
何以 為信念 從沒退後
何解 血在流 但邁進聲 響透
建自由 光輝 香港
在晚星 墜落 徬徨午夜
迷霧裡 最遠處吹來 號角聲
捍自由 來齊集這裡 來全力抗對
勇氣 智慧 也永不滅
黎明來到 要光復 這香港
同行兒女 為正義 時代革命
祈求 民主與自由 萬世都不朽
我願榮光歸香港
Lyrics (English Version) of the protest theme song: Glory to Hong Kong
Why are the tears flowing in this land again?
Why is something causing everyone to be angry?
Chin up. Don't be silent. The sound of shouts fills the air
Hoping for freedom to return to this place.
Why can't this fear be wiped away?
Why do the faithful never retreat?
Why does the blood flow but the advancing sounds fill the air?
Build freedom. Bring glory to Hong Kong
The night stars fall. Darkness fills the air
In the fog, the sound of horns billows from afar.
Defend freedom. Come gather in this place. Fight with all your strength.
Courage and wisdom will never be extinguished
Dawn has come. We must bring glory to this Hong Kong
The children that walk with us, for justice we have a revolution now
Pray for democracy and freedom everlasting
I wish for glory to return to Hong Kong
Disclaimer: The views in this article purely represent the views of the individual journalist and not The RCHK Truth.