Not only a mother of 7-year old, but also a frontliner

(10 May) Because of work in the past, I knew "D", who is the mother of a 7-year old.

"D" was a "peaceful" protester in the beginning. Until the beginning of July last year, she and her son was going back home from dinner, police tactical unit (PTU) rushed toward them. Her son said he wanted to stay and help the front line protesters. He said, "I am not scared, mum."

"D" couldn't help but cry at that moment and thought, "even a kid knows right from wrong; what should an adult wait for?"

Then came the 21 July and "D" felt she couldn't take it anymore. She became a “frontline” protester. What happened on the 31 of Aug and 1 Oct was still vivid in her mind. "For the first time, I didn't know what I could do. I only know everyone can contribute something. I have been almost all different positions, such as frontline, supporter, parents, scout, FA, etc. As long as you are willing to take one more step."

She went out alone every time. I asked how her son responded. She said her son didn't let her go once for the siege of PolyU. "When I was in PolyU, I was afraid that I couldn't go home. He texted me via WhatsApp to ask me about the condition when I went out every time. He even kept some food for me to eat later." Her kid still felt worried even he knew why her mother went out. He always watched live when his mother was out.

As a mother, how could she not fear to be arrested or hurt? What to do if leaving the kid alone? "I have planned just in case something happens. I have a friend to help and look after my kid." I couldn't imagine how a mother could sacrifice and be determined. I felt heart-breaking to hear her story and respect the mother and the son deeply.

"I come out and protect the future for my son. If you have kids and you can't see their future, don't let yourself be regret one day that you haven't done anything. "she said firmly.

Our sister is not only a frontliner but also a mother. Even with a heavy burden, it doesn't mean to flinch. Because she can't lose her beloved son, she protests him regardless of personal safety

Wish all mother teammates be safe in this "Mother's Day". They come out to be the front line because they don't want the next generation to live under a dictatorship. Women and mothers are not soft and weak anymore in this movement. Because of love, they are determined to fight.

Source: Wong Ji Yuet’s Facebook
shorturl.at/fkX16

#MothersDay #Frontliner #PeacefulProtestor #SiegeofPolyU #WongJiYuet #PolyU #Mother

#Interview

The man who almost got shot on the night of the PolyU Seige

Editor’s Note: Frontliners in this context refers to protestors that clash with the police.

(04 Mar) This is a true story. Verified in my own ways, he experienced life and death in Tsim Sha Tsui that day.

Through the help of a frontline protestor, we were able to do a short interview.

Please listen to his story if you feel that the movement has calmed down.

He is middle class with a successful career and owns a car and an apartment. He was a peaceful protestor. The most courageous thing he did was to chant slogans.

The siege of PolyU changed things. That evening in PolyU, this core building couldn’t be reached, that core building was blocked, etc. Every second was a nightmare. Seeing that protests ‘blossomed’ in different districts during midnight was the most promising glimmer of hope that night.

Jordan, in particular, crowds were seen under the dark night. No one chanted slogans, but the battle lasted until dawn. When the day started, people didn’t go to work, they went to Tsim Sha Tsui East.

He was one of them, the man in a suit who went to Tsim Sha Tsui to save PolyU.

“I’ve never thought of going onto the frontline, especially wearing a suit, but my friend was in there. I’ve told him to ‘add oil’ many times, although I know my verbal support is useless.”

It’s contradictory. Maybe he drew the line for himself the moment he decided to wear a suit – that he would not get onto the frontline.

Until he reached a crossroads.

At that time, people started occupying the roads in Tsim Sha Tsui. Those who watched live would be able to see that there were less than 10 protestors standing on the road.

There were many bystanders. It would only take a physical step to get involved, yet mental boundaries were too high to cross.

The few protestors who occupied the road didn’t complain. They only put down their bamboo sticks and stood silently under the sun.

At that moment, he made his decision. He asked a bystander for a mask, and he stepped out into the road.

Full translation: https://telegra.ph/Interview-The-man-who-almost-got-shot-on-the-night-of-the-PolyU-Seige-05-15

Source: Terry Yeung (Stand News)
bit.ly/3cA0cAe

#Frontliner #PolyUSeige

#Interview #Hongkonger
#Frontliner in Hong Kong Protest Speaks Up in #Canada:
"Don't forget the frontliners even though they're no longer in the spotlight"


Photo: Netizen #Aug31

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#Interview #Hongkonger
#Frontliner in Hong Kong Protest Speaks Up in #Canada: "Don't forget the frontliners even though they're no longer in the spotlight"

Part 1

On August 31, 2021, many Hongkongers assembled in a rally in Toronto, Canada, commemorating the police brutality victims of the 8.31 Prince Edward Station Attack by the police during the 2019 #AntiELAB movement.

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30945

At the rally, Hei, a frontliner who fled Hong Kong in 2020, shared his experiences and thoughts of his part in the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

"The 2019 Anti-ELAB movement happened very suddenly. Hongkongers did not learn how to protest when growing up," Hei said. "We the younger generation, in particular, were not taught about protests in school. Hong Kong did not have any violent protests before. Hongkongers are actually still full of love, especially after the events of 2019; we care very much about the people around us."

After all, the pro-democracy movement reflects Hongkongers' belonging to the city. Hei is one of them. "That year was also when I began to really identify with the name 'Hongkonger''," Hei recounted.

"Before that, I didn't really feel a sense of belonging, or feel any 'Hong Kong spirit' that was often mentioned on TV. Hong Kong people were all strangers going to school or work; we would never say hello."

"I couldn't represent all frontliners, though I could say that I had barely missed any protests in 2019," Hei looked back and said. "I was on Lion Rock. I went to the airport. Before the movement, I never thought going on a hike could be so meaningful."

Yet, the authorities' crackdown on pro-democracy protesters never stop. "Many of us, the frontliners who went on the streets over these 2 years, are now in prison," Hei said.

"Some escaped police and are have returned to their studies or work. Some have moved away from Hong Kong. Many peaceful-nonviolent protesters seem to think we've gone missing, and now pay attention only to political commentators, many of whom I don't know."

Hei urged Hongkongers not to forget why frontliners have to go into hiding, whether they want it or not. "Although we're no longer in the spotlight, I hope you haven't forgotten about us. Some of us are even sitting here right next to you. We had all been frontliners."

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067

#Aug31 #831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk

Part 2 coming up next

#Interview #Part2
Hong Kong Protester Recalls #Hongkongers' Kindness during Pro-democracy Movement

Hei is a frontliner in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. He fled the city in 2020 and in Canada he shared his past experiences in a rally, commemorating the police brutality victims of the 8.31 Prince Edward Station Attack.

Read Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30959

"Sometimes when I'm working and helping people move house, I see posters of protesters in full gear; they looked just like me'," Hei said. All these bring back his memories of 2019.

"I actually didn't wear helmets very often; in later protests, I didn't even bring my gas mask. Many things go through my mind when I see images like this, some happy, some not so much."

After an emotional moment, Hei asked the rally participants, "If the fight for Hong Kong comes to us here one day, and us frontliners come out again to stand against injustice, will you still support us?"

At this time, the audience responded with loud clapping.

Inspired by the conscience of his coworker, Hei put his construction skills to use in protests.

Hei asked his audience again, "Do people here feel that construction workers are uneducated, or that their job is undesirable? When I was young, I thought that way. When I became a construction worker myself, I thought I would never let students block police batons for us, or leave it to them to fight against a totalitarian regime for the rights and freedom of people like me."

"I want to say that Hong Kong protesters included many students and white-collars, of course. But there are also blue-collar workers, such as construction workers like me, people who build bamboo scaffolding for a living."

"I was at the Chinede University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) during the siege, and helped build bamboo barricades at the No. 2 Bridge. [Editor's notes: Hong Kong Police fired over 1000 rounds of tear gas at protesters at this bridge in one night while attempting to breach into the campus] Where did the bamboo come from? They're from a kind-hearted scaffolding company who dropped off a truckload of bamboo at the campus, saying 'oh, we suddenly didn't need these anymore; we'll just leave these here.' We carried the bamboo from the front gate all the way over to No. 2 Bridge."

Hei then traced back to the moment he started to care about Hong Kong affairs, "The first protest I attended was June 16, 2019 - the '2 million plus one' march. The one who brought me was another construction worker. He didn't do very well in school, his jokes are crass, but he was a man with a conscience. He talked about how Hong Kong had been bullied every day by the Chinese regime, and even though I didn't care about politics at the time, he made me aware of these issues."

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067

#831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk

Part 3 coming up next

#Interview #Hongkongers
The name '#frontliner' is a responsibility, because we'll always stand in front of all Hongkongers: Self-Exiled Protester Supports himself with work in #Canada

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Read more
⬇️⬇️

#Interview #Hongkongers
The name '#frontliner' is a responsibility, because we'll always stand in front of all Hongkongers: Self-Exiled Protester Supports himself with work in #Canada

Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30959

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30969

At a rally held on August 31, 2021 in Toronto, Canada, Hei, a frontliner who fled Hong Kong in 2020, reflected on his experiences in the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30945

Hei told the rally participants, "Here in Canada, I hope you can take an extra step. Come out for demonstrations more often. Tell people around you, Chinese or otherwise, about what happened during those years, and Hong Kong's situation now."

Hei, self-exiled, talked about his diasporic experience in Canada, "Here in Toronto, I've worked for over 30 moving companies. All of them had Chinese owners. People kept telling me to be careful not to say so much about Hong Kong, but I can't. Those who know me know that I speak very frankly. When people ask where I'm from, I would always say: I'm a Hongkonger, I'm from Hong Kong."

"The next question they usually ask is: 'Did you get paid to go protesting?' I usually reply jokingly, 'I've been out dozens of times, and those 'foreign influences' still haven't paid me a single dime. Where are they anyway?'"

Hei also reminded all supporters of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, "Take care of your wallets; there are non-profits who had been raising money to support arrested protesters and pay for court fees. I think these are reasonable; please support them. You could always ask them where the money is going, and who it's helping. They can tell you."

"As for me, I don't need donations; I want job opportunities. If you need help moving, call me, or any of our frontliners who are here; we're all hard workers," Hei, though new to Canada, shows his perseverance in sustaining himself.

"All frontliners I've met are like this. They're all earning a living with their own hands; they live with their heads held high. These are our real brothers and sisters."

Hei also called for solidarity, which is something essential to fight against the united front. "I hope all organizations and supporters of the movement can remain united. Our opponent, Communist China, has incredible resources. We must use our own resources wisely."

Hei advised, "Also, equip yourselves, exercise and stay fit, work hard to survive and make a living. You have to be able to take care of yourself before you can take care of others."

Hei concluded, "The name 'frontliner' is sometimes a glorification, but more often it's a responsibility. This responsibility follows us for the rest of our lives, because we'll always be a Hongkonger. We'll always stand in front of all HongKongers."

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067

#Aug31 #831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk