#mothers #protesterstory

A Mother and also a Frontliner

I know Ms. D from before due to work. She is a mother who was born in the 80s and raising a 7-year-old boy. Just like many others, she did not pay much attention to politics before this social movement. on 9 June 2019, she participated in a march for the first time. She originally decided to go by herself, believing that her child is still too young to understand. “My son kept asking me where I was going, I gave him a simple explanation. He replied saying, ‘I also want to go and fight for my rights!’ In the end, we went together.”

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/23313

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Ms. D hoped to be a “peaceful, non-violent protester” but she changed her mind one day in July 2019. Ms D and her son were planning to head home after having dinner in Prince Edward that day but a group of riot police suddenly charged towards them. “Mum, I am not scared of getting injured.” Ms. D could never have imagined her son telling her that he would like to stay and help those big brothers and sisters fighting at the front line, fighting for things that were ours to begin with.

At that point, Ms. D could not stop the tears from streaming down her face anymore. “Even a young child can differentiate what is right or wrong. What are we adults still waiting for?” she said.

On 21 July 2019, Ms. D felt she could not no longer bear it, so she started to walk closer and closer to the front, becoming one of the frontline fighters. After that, she experienced the clashes on 31 August in Prince Edward and on 1 October in Tsuen Wan, she could still remember what happened. “To be honest, I didn’t know what I could do at first and I only knew there is always something for everyone to do. For me, I have worked in every position – frontline fighter, supplies, ‘parent’, scout, first-aider… There is something to do long as you are willing to take a step forward,” Ms. D said.

Ms. D went alone every time and she would tell her child every time she went out. I asked how her son reacted at that time. She said the siege at Polytechnic University was the only time her son did not allow her to go. “During that period of time, my son was always worried that I would not return home. Actually, he would send me a message through WhatsApp every time I went out and say that he has cooked me dinner, waiting for me to get home. Even though the youngster understands why she would go out, he still worries and watches live broadcast whenever she is out.

As a mother, who would not be afraid of being arrested or getting hurt? What if something happens, the child will be left alone. “I have contingency plans. Just in case something happens to me, my friend will contact an organisation and they will arrange care for my son.” It is absolutely unimaginable that a mother has to sacrifice this much. I felt terrible after hearing her story but at time same time, I appreciate and respect both this mother and her son.

“I stand out there to protect my child’s future. For those who have kids, do you see their future? Please don’t wait till one day when we can’t come out anymore and regret that you didn’t fight for it before!” D said emphatically.

Mothers are always there to provide support whenever we feel weak or tired. Their love is gentle and dependable. However, mothers do not only play a supportive role in this social movement. Mothers can also stand at the very front, they can also be valiant fighters.

On Mother’s Day this year, may peace be with every comrade who is also a mother. They walk out to the front as they hope that the next generation will not have to live under the rule of such a government. Females, mothers have not been fragile in this movement. Because of their love, they are determined to continue in this fight.

Source: Wong Ji Yuet Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/105526877678603/posts/146615460236411/?d=n

#WongJiYuet

20 year-old Hong Kong student accused of rioting found not guilty

Imagine having to spend 24 hours not knowing whether you will get to see your family and friends before being sent to prison. A 20 year-old who was accused of rioting explained what was going through his mind during the final hours before his case was due for a verdict.

Full translation:
https://telegra.ph/How-did-a-20-year-old-protester-spend-the-final-24-hours-before-his-verdict-07-08

#Protesterstory #Student

#ProtesterStory

Relatives standing-by outside police station for protesters arrested on Reunification Day (3 July)

"Do you need to get changed? I have some spare clothes and shoes."

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#ProtesterStory #Interview

Interview - Actor turns to Farming during the Pandemic

Joey Leung proclaimed on Facebook in early February: “I have decided the theme this year is to promote local agriculture! I will teach you how to find good vegetables because I have eaten lots of phenomenal food from our fields.” Leung believes that cultivating local produce and encouraging Hong Kongers to eat local produce is a also form of resistance.


Full article:
https://telegra.ph/Stand-News-Interview-with-Joey-Leung--Actor-turned-Farmer-in-the-Pandemic-Excerpt-07-24

#JoeyLeung

#ProtesterStory

[Wounds Of Hong Kong]
Young man, whose metacarpal bone was smashed by police baton: “At least I can still come out, I'll get over it.”

Part of a series of photographic documentary by Ko Chung-ming, this is the story of a young man whose life was disrupted and altered after sustaining injuries from being beaten by the police.

Based in Hong Kong, Ko Chung-ming is a veteran photographer with 20 years of experience in news photography. In 2019, he still believed he could roam freely at the scenes of conflicts to document the people and stories in the social movement. However, he can no longer physically participate due to chronic back pain. In August of last year, Chung was hospitalized twice after breathing in teargas. Since then, he had to retreat from the frontlines. He did not want to sit on the sidelines, so he started to focus his work on photographing victims of police brutality. His collection of work called Wounds of Hong Hong won first place in the professional category of the Sony World Photography Awards 2020.

https://telegra.ph/Wounds-Of-Hong-Kong-Young-man-whose-metacarpal-bone-was-smashed-by-police-baton-At-least-I-can-still-come-out-Ill-get-over-it-07-26

#WoundsofHongKong #PoliceBrutality

#ProtesterStory

“We the Hongkongers”

An encounter on a bus in Boston left Frances Hui feeling humiliated and inspired her to write an article about the Hong Kong people. Her writing developed into activism and led to the founding of We the Hongkongers, an organization which promotes Hong Kong culture and values overseas.

https://telegra.ph/19-year-old-activist-and-founder-of-We-the-Hongkongers-Excerpt-07-29

#ProtesterStory #YuenLong721 #RyanLau

Ryan Lau’s book on the 7.21 Yuen Long Attack - preventing distortion of history

Ryan Lau, a journalist who previously worked for TVB, gives his own personal account of the 7.21 Yuen Long attack in his new book. In doing so, he hopes this story will not be distorted in the history books. In this Ming Pao interview, he talked about the details of being attacked by gang members that night and presented his own analysis of the incident.

https://telegra.ph/Ryan-Lau-published-a-book-on-the-721-Yuen-Long-Attack-to-prevent-distortion-of-history-08-08

#ProtesterStory

Losing weight over a lawsuit

In August 2019, Ho Wing-lung was charged with obstruction of a police officer when he tried to stop riot police from chasing after a group of young protesters. He was convicted at the end of June this year and sentenced to 160 hours of community service. Even though Ho believed his case was trivial, he still suffered from psychological distress brought upon him by the police and the trial.

https://telegra.ph/Losing-weight-over-lawsuit---a-case-of-obstruction-magnified-by-the-political-movement-08-15

#HoWingLung #Court

#ProtesterStory #Censorship

Localist commentator Lewis Loud carries on writing despite the National Security Law

Lewis Loud has been writing political commentary on his blog for more than 10 years. With the National Security Law firmly in place, Loud feels as if there are national security police watching him every time he writes. Indeed, many writers, artists and public figures now feel the need to censor themselves. Loud is personally feeling the effects of this law as his new book about the history of China and Hong Kong has been put on hold by the publisher. However, he has decided he will carry on writing despite the political pressure.


https://telegra.ph/Localist-commentator-Lewis-Loud-carries-on-writing-despite-the-National-Security-Law-08-18

#ProtesterStory
#WoundsHK

[Wounds of Hong Kong] The aftermath of a young first aider's injuries

The repercussions of last year's protests extended beyond physical injuries for a young first aider. After sustaining extensive burns from a tear gas canister, his relationship with his mother unravelled. Sony World Photography Awards winner Ko Chung-ming captures his stitches and still healing scars as Stand News chronicles the events surrounding this moment.

https://telegra.ph/The-Wounds-of-Hong-Kong---1-Another-scar-for-no-good-reason-19-year-old-student-08-17

#ProtesterStory #YuenLong721
#Interview

Former Anti-Riot Police: the 21 July Incident was Absurd

Wah, a former anti-riot police, joined the police force because he wanted to help others. The night of the Yuen Long attack on 21 July 2019 was a life changing event for him. Disappointed with how the police had mishandled the violent incident, he became disillusioned and decided to leave the force. In this interview with Apple Daily, Wah recounted the 721 story from his perspective and exposed the permissive culture within the Hong Kong Police Force.

Full article:
https://telegra.ph/Former-Anti-Riot-Police-the-21-July-Incident-was-Absurd-08-22

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Related reading:

https://telegra.ph/Ryan-Lau-published-a-book-on-the-721-Yuen-Long-Attack-to-prevent-distortion-of-history-08-08


https://telegra.ph/Lest-we-forget-July-21-PLA-veteran-armed-with-a-mattock-handle-stood-against-the-white-gang-I-will-remember-this-to-my-last-day-07-17

#ProtesterStory

831 refugee fleeing Hong Kong

Hong Kong, a former haven for those escaping oppression and hardship in China, has transformed into a place from which some need to escape. Those that seek refuge elsewhere encounter a new set of problems as they try to establish new livelihoods with their families in tow.  Ah Song is one of them. He fled to Canada after the 831 Prince Edward Station incident. Canada's Sing Tao Daily recounts the trials and tribulations of Ah Song as he navigates the Canadian immigration system, unemployment and psychological challenges of calling a place on the other side of the world his new home.

https://telegra.ph/Arrested-protesters-from-831-Prince-Edward-Station-clash-seek-new-lives-with-families-as-refugees-in-Canada-09-02

#Interview #ProtesterStory

A life forever altered after head trauma on the night of 31 August, from dizziness while preparing for the DSE to continual challenges as a CUHK student and with career development

(31 Aug) One year ago on the night of 31 August, several police officers entered the platform and trains at Prince Edward Station. Brandishing batons and pepper-spraying those present, the actions of the police caused controversy. A year later, two arrestees - charged with unauthorised assembly and refused bail at the time - obtained permission to recover their belongings that the police seized as evidence. However, their lives have been permanently changed by that night. DSE student, surnamed Lee, was subject to blunt force trauma and lacerations to the head, which led to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). He claimed that frequent bouts of dizziness affected his studies. Although he was able to enter the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), he could not major in what he wanted. Sonia Ng Ngo-suet, another CUHK student, graduated with First Class Honours but hit a wall when it came to post-graduate and employment prospects. A professor had expressed concerns that her admission could result in less funding for the school.

//On 31 August last year, raptors [Special Tactical Squad] pummeled Lee's head with batons. He ended up with three open wounds that needed 14 stitches. He was hospitalised for nine days and was subsequently arrested. The police confiscated his shirt as evidence and kept it for almost a year.

//"Time flies. I'm not the same person as I was a year ago."

Full translation: https://telegra.ph/A-life-forever-altered-after-head-trauma-on-the-night-of-31-August-from-dizziness-while-preparing-for-the-DSE-to-continual-chall-09-08

Editor's Note:
* Typically, dizziness symptoms for mTBI are not treated with medication. Progressive rehabilitative exercises that focus on things like eye-tracking and balance are more commonly used due to their effectiveness. If you suspect that you have had an mTBI in the past year, please see a sports medicine doctor.

Source: Ming Pao
https://bit.ly/3ieElRu
Translated by: Hong Kong Echo

#PoliceBrutality #831Attack #HeadTrauma #PoliceState #AntiELAB

#ProtesterStory #Interview
Oldest protester in 2016 Mong Kok Civil Unrest released

Brother Sam received a hero’s welcome when he was released from prison. In this interview with Stand News, he shared his feelings about being a free man again and commented on the current state of the pro-democracy movement.

https://telegra.ph/Oldest-protester-in-2016-Mong-Kok-Civil-Unrest-released-09-10

#ProtesterStory #Art

Tribute piece to Hong Kong's freedom installed at Liberty Sculpture Park

Lauded sculptor and freedom fighter for the Free Syrian Army Chen Weiming's latest piece pays tribute to Hongkongers' recent uprising against China's iron fist rule. The large-scale relief sculpture was unveiled at the end of August this year and highlights critical moments of the Anti-ELAB movement last year. It sits amongst other installations commemorating Lakota chief Crazy Horse and the Tiananmen Massacre.

https://telegra.ph/Sculptor-Chen-Weiming-dedicates-Liberate-Hong-Kong-sculpture-to-Hongkongers-claims-dictatorship-will-be-overthrown-09-13

#ProtesterStory #Interview #WoundsHK

[Wounds of Hong Kong] Young man beaten under police custody: “This is now a society that’s ruled by the police.”

Ken’s life was forever altered after being beaten and verbally abused by the police while under their custody. He believes that Hong Kong Police are the ones ruling the city now. Through his lawyer, he is attempting to hold the police accountable by requesting CCTV footage from the Complaints Against Police Office. However, it does not appear his request will be granted any time soon.


https://telegra.ph/Wounds-of-Hong-Kong-Youngster-beaten-under-police-custody-This-is-now-a-society-thats-ruled-by-the-police-09-13