BFF-26 Hong Kong protesters form human chain 30 years after ‘Baltic Way’

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HONGKONG-POLITICS-UNREST

Hong Kong protesters form human chain 30 years after ‘Baltic Way’

HONG KONG, Aug 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Thousands of people held hands across
Hong Kong late Friday in a dazzling, neon-framed recreation of a pro-
democracy “Baltic Way” protest against Soviet rule three decades ago.

The city’s skyscraper-studded harbourfront as well as several busy
shopping districts were lined with peaceful protesters, many wearing surgical
masks to hide their identity and holding Hong Kong flags or mobile phones
with lights shining.

The human chain is the latest creative demonstration in nearly three
months of rolling protests which have tipped Hong Kong into an unprecedented
political crisis.

“We have tried traditional marches, we have tried more militant acts —
although I don’t agree with them — this time we are coming out together to
join hands and show that we are all still united,” said Wing, who gave only
her first name.

The protests started against a bill that would have allowed extradition to
China, but have transformed into a wider rejection of Beijing’s increasingly
tight grip on the semi-autonomous city.

“By doing this, we are showing people around the world the high quality of
Hong Kongers. What people did 30 years ago, we can also do,” said Cat Law, a
logistic worker in her 60s.

The Baltic Way was one of the largest ever anti-Soviet demonstrations,
when more than one million people linked hands to form a human chain spanning
over 600 kilometres (370 miles) on August 23, 1989.

Three decades on, the moving show of solidarity continues to inspire
activists across the world.

The “Hong Kong Way” was called by the social media-driven protesters who
have turned for the last several days to non-violent means of making their
voice heard.

Protesters young and old chanted “Free Hong Kong” as well as the protest
rallying cry “Hong Kong, add oil”, while hand sanitiser was passed along the
chains in the famously fastidious city.

Protests had slipped into violence, with running street clashes between
police and a minority of hardcore demonstrators bringing chaos to a city
normally associated with safety and stability.

BSS/AFP/BZC/1910HRS