#Solidarity
Hongkongers in Toronto Present Flowers at Prince Edward MTR Display in Memory of 8.31 Attack; Frontliner Shares Experiences of Protests, Encourages Supporters to Remain United
On August 31, 2021, Hongkongers gathered at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto, Canada to commemorate the #831PrinceEdwardAttack, which took place two years ago in Hong Kong.
The event was organized by Canada-Hong Kong Link (#CHKL), who had decorated a nearby wall to resemble an exit of Hong Kong's Prince Edward MTR station, and attendees presented flowers in memory of the terrifying attack by riot police officers against passengers inside the station that evening two years ago.
Also on display is a replica of a banner sign held up by a first-aider during the attack, demanding police to respect the humanitarian right for the injured to receive medical attention.
Videos of the first-aider pleading in tears with police - and the police ignoring him through locked gates - was among many that had gone viral on the night of the attack, stoking the city's anger against the escalating police brutality.
This video and others taken during the attack was also shown at the rally, as well as interviews with victims of the attack. CHKL president #GloriaFung said that they want to remind attendees of what happened in Hong Kong that night; more importantly, "We want to show all Hongkongers that we have never forgotten Hong Kong, and we will never give up speaking up for Hong Kong on the international stage."
In preparation for the upcoming Canadian federal election this month, CHKL had also organized a nationwide survey on foreign policy and national security issues, particularly towards China. The results is set to be announced next week, and Fung expects it to send a clear message to all political parties of the concerns shared among Canadian Hongkongers, as well as other groups under the persecution of the Chinese Communist Party.
Also speaking at the meeting was Hei, A frontline protester who had moved to Canada, shared stories of his experience in the protests. He said that he felt unity in the city that he never felt before, even though he was a construction worker and assumed that he belonged to the lower class of society.
"That year was when I began to really identify with the label 'Hongkonger'," he said. "Hongkongers are actually still full of love, especially since the events of 2019; we care very much about the people around us."
Since the regime crushed the protests, however, Hei felt that the peaceful protesters thought the frontliners had gone missing. He hoped that they are not forgotten, even though they're no longer in the spotlight. "I hope all organizations and supporters of the movement can remain united," he said.
The title "frontliner" is sometimes a glorification, he says, but more often it's a responsibility. "This responsibility follows us for the rest of our lives," he says, "because we'll always be Hongkongers. We'll always stand in the frontline for all Hong Kong."
Photos: netizens
Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067
#Aug31 #831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk
Hongkongers in Toronto Present Flowers at Prince Edward MTR Display in Memory of 8.31 Attack; Frontliner Shares Experiences of Protests, Encourages Supporters to Remain United
On August 31, 2021, Hongkongers gathered at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto, Canada to commemorate the #831PrinceEdwardAttack, which took place two years ago in Hong Kong.
The event was organized by Canada-Hong Kong Link (#CHKL), who had decorated a nearby wall to resemble an exit of Hong Kong's Prince Edward MTR station, and attendees presented flowers in memory of the terrifying attack by riot police officers against passengers inside the station that evening two years ago.
Also on display is a replica of a banner sign held up by a first-aider during the attack, demanding police to respect the humanitarian right for the injured to receive medical attention.
Videos of the first-aider pleading in tears with police - and the police ignoring him through locked gates - was among many that had gone viral on the night of the attack, stoking the city's anger against the escalating police brutality.
This video and others taken during the attack was also shown at the rally, as well as interviews with victims of the attack. CHKL president #GloriaFung said that they want to remind attendees of what happened in Hong Kong that night; more importantly, "We want to show all Hongkongers that we have never forgotten Hong Kong, and we will never give up speaking up for Hong Kong on the international stage."
In preparation for the upcoming Canadian federal election this month, CHKL had also organized a nationwide survey on foreign policy and national security issues, particularly towards China. The results is set to be announced next week, and Fung expects it to send a clear message to all political parties of the concerns shared among Canadian Hongkongers, as well as other groups under the persecution of the Chinese Communist Party.
Also speaking at the meeting was Hei, A frontline protester who had moved to Canada, shared stories of his experience in the protests. He said that he felt unity in the city that he never felt before, even though he was a construction worker and assumed that he belonged to the lower class of society.
"That year was when I began to really identify with the label 'Hongkonger'," he said. "Hongkongers are actually still full of love, especially since the events of 2019; we care very much about the people around us."
Since the regime crushed the protests, however, Hei felt that the peaceful protesters thought the frontliners had gone missing. He hoped that they are not forgotten, even though they're no longer in the spotlight. "I hope all organizations and supporters of the movement can remain united," he said.
The title "frontliner" is sometimes a glorification, he says, but more often it's a responsibility. "This responsibility follows us for the rest of our lives," he says, "because we'll always be Hongkongers. We'll always stand in the frontline for all Hong Kong."
Photos: netizens
Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067
#Aug31 #831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk
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