A Lesson From the Hong Kong Riots
For 100 days now, people in Hong Kong have been protesting amendments made to the extradition law. The amendment makes it that anyone who was arrested in Hong Kong can be tried in mainland China. This gives the chief executive the power to choose whether the suspect should be tried in the mainland or in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s government has banned activists from running for office, prohibited political parties, put pro-democracy activists in jail, and kidnapped people who have gone against their political views. These actions have led many people to start protests.
Following a recent protest at an airport, police were accused of using excessive force, with many reports of police brutality. One woman lost her eye during the protest as a result of tear gas canisters being fired at protestors, despite their peaceful approach. In solidarity with the victim, protestors wore eyepatches and made posters using the phrase “an eye for an eye.” Since the protests started, 1,100 people have been arrested. Many protestors want an investigation into the police response. Protestors have stormed government offices, stopped public transportation, and vandalized symbols of the government.
On September 4th, Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, made an announcement that the amendment made on the extradition law had been withdrawn. In an eight minute TV broadcast, she said, “Incidents over these past two months have shocked and saddened Hong Kong people. We are all very anxious about Hong Kong, our home. We all hope to find a way out of the current impasse and unsettling times.” This came as a surprise since the day before, Hong Kong signed an uncompromising stance on the protests. A spokesman for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said there is no middle ground when it comes to the protests. Many pro-democracy activists have said that waiting three months to withdraw the amendments is too little too late.
Even though the leader of Hong Kong withdrew the bill, there is no sign that the protests are going to stop. With everything that happened during the protests, there is no sign that the protestors will stop until Hong Kong’s government fixes their issues.