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Masked Hong Kong protesters hold rare press conference
HONG KONG, Aug 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Three masked youngsters from Hong
Kong’s anti-government movement took the unusual step on Tuesday of holding a
press conference to demand democracy, liberty and equality and condemn the
city’s pro-Beijing leaders.
Dressed in the movement’s signature yellow construction helmets and hiding
their identities with face masks, the two young men and one woman billed
their gathering as a civilian press conference “by the people, for the
people”.
“We call on the government to return the power back to the people and to
address the demands of Hong Kong citizens,” they said as they read out their
statements in both English and Cantonese.
The semi-autonomous southern Chinese city has been wracked by two months of
protests and clashes between police and increasingly hardcore demonstrators
in the biggest threat to Beijing’s rule since its 1997 handover from Britain.
But the protests are largely leaderless and organised online through
social media and messaging apps.
Tuesday’s appearance was the first time people from within the movement
have delivered a statement in a formal setting.
“This platform aims to act as a counterweight to the government’s monopoly
on the political discourse on this issue,” they said, adding they were not
affiliated with any political party or group.
The event came a day after a general strike caused widespread travel
disruption and saw clashes in a dozen different locations across the
international finance hub.
In a statement on Monday, Hong Kong’s government condemned the latest
protests.
“The incrementally spreading and rapidly escalating violence is
outrageous, and is pushing Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous
situation,” the statement said.
But the three protesters hit back.
“The current administration should be responsible for the public outcry
but they have chosen to stay away from the responsibility,” one said in
English. “Such disgraceful behaviour should be condemned.”
They criticised the city’s police force which they accused of showing a
“total loss of self-discipline… and their incompetence in carrying out
their lawful duties.”
And they also reiterated the movement’s calls for greater democratic
freedoms in a city where the leader is chosen by a pro-Beijing committee.
“The pursuit of democracy, liberty and equality is an inalienable right of
every citizen. We therefore call on the government to refrain from
exterminating our right to pursue these universal values,” they said.
Under the terms of the 1997 handover deal with Britain, Hong Kong has
rights and liberties unseen on the Chinese mainland, including an independent
judiciary and freedom of speech.
But many say those rights are being curtailed.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of city leader Carrie Lam, an
independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested, a
permanent withdrawal of a reviled extradition bill, and the right to elect
their leaders.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1242 hrs