Dispatches from Hong Kong

Carrie Lam 10am press conference:   beatings will continue until morale improves


dave said:

 I don't see it happening any time soon, as that would send the message that the police can't handle things, which would be a blow to the morale of the police.  I'd expect to see more dangerous weapons / tactics deployed by the police first.

The Guardian: Satellite photos show Chinese armoured vehicles on border of Hong Kong

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/14/satellite-photos-show-chinese-armoured-vehicles-border-hong-kong-shenzhen-sports-stadium


12th weekend of protests in process with clashes in numerous locations.  Protesters seem have perfected a way of removing security camera lamp posts.  

Usually 7-9 HD live feeds at this link, so don't watch this unless you're on wi-fi:

https://ncehk2019.github.io/nce-live/?visibleCount=9


I read about the Hong Kong Way protest last night, based on the Baltic Way. I admire the courage everyone is showing in this movement - I have no idea if I would be as persistently patient, determined, strong despite my fears and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.


I'm glad our grandson is in Beijing and not Hong Kong. 


I have been watching some of the live video Dave mentioned above. Interesting. Things are slower right now because it's night time.


There's a "progressive" outlet, The Grayzone Project, pushing a narrative that the Hong Kong protests are a U.S. "regime change" effort.

"Behind a made-for-TV Hong Kong protest narrative, Washington is backing nativism and mob violence. A look at the US regime-change organizations and HK oligarchs fueling the violence."


Disturbing to read about the police action at the Metro stations/in the trains. I worry about innocent people caught up in the heavy-handed action in such small spaces away from very open views. (You'd be too frightened to be caught trying to video anything on your phone)


Everyone got an SMS message from the HK police early on Saturday, so 'events' were easy to avoid if you wanted to avoid arrest.  At this point there are no allowed protest zones, so already an infringement of the right to assemble.  That said, I've seen videos of people who were considered to be bystanders to suddenly pull hammers from backpacks and charge at police.  It's chaos, but contained in small pockets of the city near major transportation links.  Some police have been disguising themselves as protesters in order to make easy arrests, which puts police in unfairly dangerous positions.  One group of 'undercover' police were discovered and chased and beaten while running away through Victoria Park.  It's sobering watching police take a thrashing like that because it just means another level of escalation is coming.

National Day is coming and I think China wants this behind them, so either some kind of compromise or a complete crackdown is on its way.


Protesters currently destroying airport.   


Keep news coming for all to read.


dave said:

National Day is coming and I think China wants this behind them, so either some kind of compromise or a complete crackdown is on its way.

Could the above Ben Norton photo tweet asking (is it for real?) Trump to liberate HK be Beijing provocateurs? To ripen nationalistic sentiment and justify a crackdown?


dave said:

Protesters currently destroying airport.   

Yes, destroying the airport will motivate firms in building and investing in HK.  long face


Fried noodles:  65 HKD 

Milk tea:  20 HKD

Tear gas mask rental:   80 HKD

+ 10% service charge


dave said:

Fried noodles:  65 HKD 

Milk tea:  20 HKD

Tear gas mask rental:   80 HKD

+ 10% service charge

 Democracy: Priceless.


Dave, I’ve just read about the numbers of young people arrested during these protests, and the range of their ages (my goodness, some are so very young to be arrested!). 
I’m wondering about the havoc the face-mask ban plays with cultural practice - for example, lion and dragon dances, traditional role plays in street theatre etc. I mean of course, most people wouldn’t be in mood for frivolous street theatre, but there would be some occasions where such entertainments might still be appropriate, wouldn’t there? And wouldn’t the clubs need to train? (Yes, I know they’re usually martial arts clubs, but in the eyes of police that’s probably worse) 

(I’m asking because here, the cultural clubs that pass on this knowledge are very intergenerational although the legs are generally teenage to around mid-30s, I think) 


@joanne

Sorry, just saw this.  The face mask ban only seems to come into play on weekend evenings when protests are expected or happening.  So that charge would be added to others, such as being at an illegal gathering, rioting if caught with a weapon, etc.   I've seen plenty of people wearing surgical masks for not spreading a mild illness and among the Muslim population without incident.  We'll see what Halloween brings.  


Doesn’t seem that Halloween was ‘acceptable’.  tongue laugh So, I’m wondering, apart from the cultural questions in relation to masks and theatrical make-up for street theatre, where to from here?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-01/hong-kong-halloween-revellers-struck-by-tear-gas-amid-protests/11660874


Reading about Hong Kong in the Times today is extremely scary. People are being gravely injured. Transportation has come to a halt. Schools are closed.Bridges are burned. It is just mayhem. What can the U S do? There is talk of the Human Rights and Democracy Act that is waiting to be signed in Washington. Democrats and Republicans both agree to this. Hope we get some action.


yeah, I'm afraid that China is soon going to say "OK, That's it! Enough!" and come down real hard.


Massive turnout for Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) elections today, with some voters waiting 2 hours in line to vote.  Results will be in tomorrow morning.   

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/23/world/asia/hong-kong-election-protests-district-council.html


dave said:

Massive turnout for Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) elections today, with some voters waiting 2 hours in line to vote.  Results will be in tomorrow morning.   

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/23/world/asia/hong-kong-election-protests-district-council.html

 During these protests, some have said, "Why don't Americans get out and protest like that?"

What I'd like to know is why don't Americans get out and vote like that?


Not to mention take to the streets in millions against a corrupt and feckless president.


Link:  https://www.theepochtimes.com/masked-intruders-set-fire-to-hong-kong-epoch-times-printing-press_3150829.html

====================================================

Brief Excerpt from above link:

Masked Intruders Set Fire to Hong Kong Epoch Times Printing Press
BY EVA FU
November 19, 2019 Updated: November 20, 2019

Four masked intruders set a fire in the printing warehouse of the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times in the early hours of Nov. 19, marking the fourth attack on the facility since its opening more than a decade ago. The attack is believed to be the latest effort by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to silence The Epoch Times.

A spokesperson for the Hong Kong edition, Cheryl Ng, said the incident had the hallmarks of CCP tactics, aimed at intimidating the outlet away from reporting on topics deemed sensitive to the regime.

As one of the few independent outlets in Hong Kong, The Epoch Times is known for covering internal factional politics within the CCP, as well as the regime’s suppression of freedoms both at home and abroad. It also has provided extensive independent coverage of the ongoing pro-democracy movement, now in its sixth month.

In response to the incident, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called it “deeply disturbing,” adding that “any assault on the freedom of the press is an assault on the liberty that was promised to the people of Hong Kong.”

“It’s an assault to the basic function of a democracy,” he continued.

===================================================

Remember HK police have admitted using HK police disguised as protestors.  See:  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7351705/Hong-Kong-secret-police-officer-disguises-protester-arrest-bleeding-demonstrator.html

It appears that this arson attack was done by HK police dressed as protestors.



meh - the Epoch Times deserves to be silenced. They're a trash pro-Trump conspiracist propaganda rag.


drummerboy said:

meh - the Epoch Times deserves to be silenced. They're a trash pro-Trump conspiracist propaganda rag.

 IMHO, the silencing of newspapers should be condemned.  Regardless of whether you, or anyone else, dislike the paper's style or POV.  It appears you (DB) disagree with me.


Let's just say that if someone blew up Fox News, I wouldn't be shedding any tears (assuming no lives lost)


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