A peaceful, socially-distant protest took place in Times Square on Sunday as New Yorkers showed their support for Hong Kongers who have experienced fresh attacks on their freedom of expression and beliefs.
About 50 or so protestors, all masked and six-feet apart, could be seen waving flags, singing, and chanting, although organizers said more than 100 people attended, and that some stood on the sidelines because they did not want to be photographed.
They were protesting a bevy of actions taken by the Chinese government: the removal of two pro-democracy activists Benny Tai and Shui Ka Chun from their academic positions, the arrest of four ex-members of student group Student Localism under the National Security Law, and 12 pro-democracy candidates’ disqualification from an upcoming legislative election.
Additionally, Hong Kong recently announced that its elections will be delayed for a year, citing COVID-19.
“We will not forget and we are not afraid,” said Anna Cheung, an organizer for NY4HK, a group dedicated to raising awareness in New York about the situation in Hong Kong. “We will continue to support Hong Kong, even in the face of this National Security Law. They cannot threaten us. We live in a free country, in the United states. We advocate for universal values such as free speech."
She added: "This is not just a Hong Kong battle.”
The demonstration was the first in-person protest by NY4HK since the start of COVID-19, although the activist group has been organizing virtual events throughout the state's PAUSE order. Protesters wore black to show their support for Hong Kong, and a few yellow umbrellas, a hallmark of the Hong Kong movement, shielded protestors from the hot sun and sprinkled the sidewalk.
The movement has had particular resonance in New York City, which is home to approximately 629,000 Chinese, the highest Chinese population outside of Asia. New Yorkers have held rallies, created art installations known as Lennon Walls, and even held demonstrations against the NBA. Some demonstrations have resulted in increasing tension among the Chinese community.
“The event has a symbolic meaning that, despite COVID-19, we will still come out and congregate, we will still come out and stand together with the Hong Kongers,” said Alex Chow, 29, a native Hong Konger and activist. “Because what the Beijing government and Hong Kong government are doing is more deadly than COVID-19. It’s more deadly than a deadly virus.”
“I want people to be aware about what’s happening in Hong Kong, and the difference between Hong Kong and China,” said Victoria Chan, 31, who is from Hong Kong and currently resides in Brooklyn. “People in the U.S. aren’t always aware that China is trying to silence everyone with different opinions.”
Hong Kong residents have been at odds with the government as a result of what is viewed as an encroachment by the Chinese on their political freedom. Hong Kong, though part of China, operates under a “mini-constitution,” which allows freedom of the press, assembly, and religious beliefs, among other rights. The protests were triggered by an extradition bill introduced in June that would have resulted in people accused of crime to be sent to China, or other places that Hong Kong had no extradition treaty. Though Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s top leader, withdrew the bill in September, the protests had expanded to include demands for greater civil liberties, police accountability, and autonomy from Beijing.
Though such rights are perceived positively from a Western perspective, there are strong anti-separtist sentiments from China, as detailed in Brooklyn Nets’ owner Joe Tsai’s open letter responding to a tweet from the Houston Rockets’ general manager stating his support for the Hong Kong protests.
Previous live events have been met with counterprotests, though there was no pro-Beijing presence at Sunday’s organization.
“So many ridiculous things happen in Hong Kong, especially for teenagers,” said Kit Lok, 40, from Queens. “The whole world, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, everyone, needs to stand up together for Hong Kong.”
