📡Guardians of Hong Kong
9.58K subscribers
21.6K photos
1.88K videos
27 files
9.99K links
We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
Facebook: http://bit.ly/BeWaterHongKong
Instagram: @guardiansofhk
Website: https://guardiansofhk.com/
Download Telegram
#FirstHand #Jun7
“We are not __”: HK Lady Liberty Exhibition

Part 2: Who would protect our land if we give up?

The building of the “#LadyLiberty" statue and its transportation were explained in videos. The blueprint and 3D printing models walked the visitors through the technology involved. Different “Lady Liberty HK” statues were also shown in form of figurines portraying different roles in the pro-democracy movement.

As the center of the exhibition, the remaining parts of the statue were featured and accompanied by the “Liberty Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times” flag.

Beside news clippings to highlight the important events in the ongoing movement, a Lennon Wall wss set up for visitors to express themselves.

At last, the staircase was decorated with words of encouragement: “There's hope in Hong Kong...We can change the world."

With the determination and perseverance symbolized by the Lady Liberty, one possible title of the exhibition is perhaps “We are not giving up” .

#ProtestArt #LionRock
Latest pro-democracy initiative crushed in retail sector

On Wednesday (June 16), a retail chain of kids’ wear erected a 2-meter tall Lady Liberty Hong Kong statue in its shop located in Discovery Park shopping mall, which was owned by New World Development, one of the pro-China megacorporations in Hong Kong.

The next day, management office of the shopping mall issued a letter to the shop requesting the removal of the statue, claiming that decoration for a “first class shopping center” should fulfill certain requirements and the statue is apparently not related to the shop’s retail business. While the pro-Beijing camp leaders called for their supporters to lodge complaints against the retail chain.

Source: Stand News #Jun17
#FailedState #FreedomofExpression #LadyLiberty
#Solidarity
Protesters' Painting is "the Best Advertisement", Says
#Chickeeduck's CEO

Chickeeduck has a new branch in Tin Hau slated to open soon, with a painting of a protester boldly displayed on its shutters. CEO Herbert Chow said the painting was his favorite part of the new store; since the painting faces the on-ramp to the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, "This is our best advertisement."

He wanted it to be a constant reminder to the government and the people of Hong Kong: "If they hadn't tried to ram the extradition bill through #LegCo last year, would these people have been on the streets?"

He also wanted to challenge the pro-Beijing camp's denigrating description of the pro-democracy protesters as "evil rioters". "If they withdrew the bill on June 12 [when LegCo was scheduled to vote on the extradition bill], no one would need to wear all this gear to protect themselves."

Chickeeduck had caught the attention of Hongkongers when they displayed a statue of Hong Kong's Lady Liberty in one of their branches earlier.

Originally a children's clothing store chain, the new branch will also carry products related to the anti-ELAB movement, such as T-shirts and small replicas of the Lady Liberty statue.

Chow said the store will present more merchandises with artwork from local artists.

Source: InMediaHK.net #Dec10
https://bit.ly/3r3b5ly

#HerbertChow #LadyLiberty #AntiELAB #HongKongProtests #ProtestArt #HongKongBrand #YellowEconomy
#Interview #Firsthand
Hong Kong Female Frontliner's Look Appears in Top Model UK 2020: "Every small efforts will eventually come together and make a big impact"

On June 26, 2021, the Top Model UK 2020 was staged in the Royal Horseguard Hotel in London.

A Hong Kong model, Catherine (thereafter C), took to the stage as the Lady Liberty of Hong Kong. After the contest, Catherine spoke to us in an interview.

1)What makes you show up on the stage as a female warrior, the Lady Liberty of Hong Kong?

C: When pondering for an appropriate outfit for the self-style session of the contest, I reckon any fashion piece that connects with the pro-democracy protest in 2019 would well represent Hong Kong.

I remember this common protester symbol which was well-recognized in Hong Kong and easy to execute. Under time pressure, we made this protest-inspired outfit without even seeking consent from the designer of the art piece.

We want to bring Hongkongers’ efforts in the pro-democracy movement to global attention and showcase Hong Kong local culture on international platforms. I wish to let Hong Kong people know that we can always find ways to continue our fight under escalating oppression.

2)How do other countries respond to this female warrior outfit, and what does this outfit actually embody?

C: Some contestants were able to tell the difference between Hong Kong and China. They are keen to share their opinions on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong with me. I am grateful for their encouragement.

The master of ceremony said that they like this outfit. Some dressers showed thumbs up while some make-up artists found it a unique and stunning design.

3)What do you think this Lady Liberty design is symbolizing?

C: I found much resonance in this protest design, probably because I am a woman. Females are no longer the weaker sex nowadays. We can walk on to the front-line to battle and fight for our beliefs. A fully-geared female shows the determination to fight on, even when she realizes that the journey will be covered in sweat, blood and tears.

I think I am not slim enough to fit into the outfit and bring the best out of it. I am not the female protester on the poster in Hong Kong, but an ordinary Hongkonger. I have yet given up, and I wish other Hongkongers to continue their fight as well.

I can take this protest-inspired outfit to the stage which everyone else can also continue the protest in their own ways. The costume is heavy in its memory of the pro-democracy movement in 2019, symbolizing every unyielding Hongkonger and the memories back then.

4)What do you want to do the most when going back to Hong Kong?

C: Hum... I want to eat local dishes like barbecue pork and chicken rice with lemon tea. I want to see pop singer Hins Cheung’s concert (Cheung is always #1 for me) and see live shows of some popular local bands and movie stars. I want to show my support to Hong Kong movies too.

Hong Kong is always the best, no matter where I am. I will utter my best effort to defend and guard Hong Kong culture because “I fxxking love Hong Kong” (Catherine cited a well-known protest slogan).

5)What do you want to say to those still in Hong Kong?

C: Hang on! Hong Kong needs every one of us to continue the fight in our own ways. Every small efforts will eventually come together and make a big impact. We have to keep on fighting. I believe we can take on any roles comfortable to ourselves and fight.

Wrapping up the interview, Catherine cited lyrics of a popular canton pop, “In fact, learning to live in desperation is an unending life-long training.”

I hate losing. But until now, we have nothing else to lose, Hongkongers.

#ProtestArt #Fashion
#HKCulture #AntiELAB #TopModel #LadyLiberty #FemaleWarrior #Catherine #UK

Source: First Hand #Aug6

**Photos are provided by the interviewee