#Letter #LaamCaau
A Hope That From Now On There Will Only Be One Camp──‘Reclaimists’

Part 1: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/21454

Greetings everyone, I am ‘I demand laam caau’, colloquially referred to as ‘Laam Caau Brother’. The last time I made a public statement was during Chater Garden rally on the 16 August 2019. I’ve recently heard that a million-dollar bounty has been issued for my death, causing me to contemplate writing a will.

2019 was the first time millions of Hongkongers risked their blood, sweat, livelihoods, futures and lives to ‘laam caao’ with totalitarianism. University campuses were besieged and bombarded by artillery and countless protestors sacrificed themselves. The number of martyrs killed or forced into exile is beyond count.

However, we successfully blocked the passage of the extradition bill. We revived the slogan ‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times’── a legacy of Edward Leung. We composed our national anthem ‘Glory to Hong Kong’. We formed international alliances. We reclaimed the District Council.

//Hongkongers’ ultimate goal isn't to safeguard the corpse of the rule of law. In order to liberate Hong Kong, we must start from scratch and reconstruct a new rule of law that truly represents this city. The reason America is the country it is today is, 200 years ago, a group of lawyers and citizens realized the rule of law was corrupted.

//Hongkongers face an enemy much stronger than the Soviet Union. On the proverbial road to liberation, not one of these three components──the streets, the legislature, and the international front──can be neglected.

//Elected members of the district councils and LegCo are representatives of public opinion. These are identities that hold influential power in the international community. To reclaim Hong Kong, you must evolve: taking the initiative instead of being timid and overcautious. Even if disqualification results, your words and actions continue to have weight.

//Hongkongers, it is time to launch a three-pronged attack in the legislature, the streets, and the international front. A good offense is the best defense.

//I must reiterate that 'laam caao' emerged because the CCP stripped Hongkongers of their livelihood, freedom, culture and democracy. This method was the weaker side's reaction to being backed into the corner by a great power.

//"Laam caao" is not ‘burnism’. Rather, it is ‘phoenixism’: the crucial stage for the rebirth of a phoenix. Hongkongers, we no longer have the capacity to compromise with the CCP.

//We would rather become floating ashes than sinking dust.

//If we burn, you burn with us.

Full translation:
https://telegra.ph/A-Hope-That-From-Now-On-There-Will-Only-Be-One-CampReclaimists-05-26

Source: Laam Caau Recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qwbVF3q2HI

#OpinionArticle

“Laam Caau:” The high-stakes game that Hong Kong protesters are waging with China

//“Laam Caau” (攬炒, pronounced “lahm tsow”) literally translates to “embrace and fry” in Cantonese. The term is borrowed from poker to mean making your opponent suffer as much as you do.

//“Laam Caau” is believed to be the only strategy to stand a chance against the formidable Chinese Communist Party by a sizable fraction of Hong Kong protestors. Some went as far as hoping Beijing would send in troops.

//At the core of this strategy, it’s the belief that the existing political framework is so rigged that operating under the current rules of engagement, as dictated by China, will only lead to defeat.

//In terms of action, the strategy entails pursuing action in different spheres of influence: Street protests, the local legislature, and international diplomatic outreach. It can also mean favouring small pro-democracy businesses—the “yellow economic circle”—instead of chains owned by pro-Beijing tycoons.

//While the passing of the Hong Kong National Security Law is seen as China’s most aggressive move yet and is set to change Hong Kong in exactly the way the protestors have feared, many believers of “Laam Caau” welcome it as they continue to work to make an international case for sanctioning Beijing.

Full Article: Yahoo! Finance, (30-Jun)

#LaamCaau #HongKongProtests