Umbrella Revolution

I have never read so little in my entire adult life, until Occupy Central Campaign unveiled in my hometown Hong Kong last Sunday. Since then I’ve been glued to the internet radio live from Hong Kong and have been reading up on the latest development. I want to to bring awareness to what really happens.

Tens of thousands have taken to the streets of Hong Kong in defiance of tear gas and government warnings. The police, under pressure of a pro-Communist, pro-Beijing government, had deployed 87 tear gas bombs but failed to disperse the crowds, which have occupied intersections in business and financial districts—a civil disobedience campaign similar to Bangkok Shutdown in January 2013.

Hong Kong has not seen a protest on this scale for years. Those out on the streets have been angered by the Chinese government’s ruling limiting who could stand as a candidate in elections for Hong Kong’s leader, due in 2017.

The movement is launched by democracy activists Occupy Central. Students began a separate class boycott and walkout in late September and when they broke into the main government compound on Friday, September 26, Occupy Central kicked off its campaign early. Adam Cotton from New York City dubbed the movement “Umbrella Revolution” since protestors, unarmed and peaceful, used umbrellas of different colors to defend themselves from the pepper gas. What really lit the fuse and brought the sentiment to a boil was police’s hasty use of excessive force and deploying of tear gas when the rallies were peaceful and organized.

Media around the world have praised how polite these protestors have been, showing courtesy and respect. I urge you to read the article Things That Can Only Happen in a Protest in Hong Kong and be informed of the political tension in Hong Kong.