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In Palo Alto: Masks, Black Clothing, White Flowers in Solidarity with Hong Kong Protesters
Hundreds of local supporters of Hong Kong's recent protests against an extradition law wore black in solidarity at a rally held in Palo Alto. Many wore masks. In addition, rally organizers asked people to bring white flowers to commemorate the death of a man consider to be a martyr in the cause, a 35 year old who committed suicide at the site of a Hong Kong protest.
The Northern California Hong Kong Club called for a local rally on June 15th to show support for demonstrators a million strong who took to the streets of Hong Kong over the past week. Protests of a proposed bill, one that many fear would allow political dissidents to be extradited to mainland China, involved injuries from rubber bullets and tear gas dispensed by Hong Kong police.
About 800 people attended the rally held in Palo Alto. Hong Kong and mainland China do not currently have an extradition treaty; speakers at the rally said that although the semi-autonomous enclave’s Chief Executive indefinitely shelved the bill, continued demonstrations are necessary to show that the people of Hong Kong never want to see such a law enacted. A demonstrator in Hong Kong spoke to the Palo Alto crowd live via Skype asking that people appeal to US congressional authorities by signing a petition in support of the people of Hong Kong.
Most of the hundreds listening to speakers wore black to show solidarity with Hong Kong protesters and some wore masks. Nicholas of South Bay Revolutionary Socialists sported a mask and cap and had his collar pulled up revealing the letters BLOC on the back. Asked for his reaction to the speakers, Nicholas laughingly said, “of course I don’t believe that writing to US lawmakers will have any effect.” He said of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Lam that “she has her personal agenda,” adding that one can assume she is talking with mainland authorities. He said that China today is “not the socialism we want to see,” as it practices state capitalism.
Nicholas and others carried signs denouncing the police brutality seen in recent protests in Hong Kong. Other signs read "Make Love--No Shoot" and "No Extradition Law." A small contingent of women in medical masks held up signs saying "Taiwan Supports Hong Kong."
A brief outburst by a disrupter was resolved after a heated discussion was moved away from the gathering. It ended peacefully while local Chinese language television news stations filmed. At the close of the rally the emcee asked that everyone who had taken photos delete faces from them.
About 800 people attended the rally held in Palo Alto. Hong Kong and mainland China do not currently have an extradition treaty; speakers at the rally said that although the semi-autonomous enclave’s Chief Executive indefinitely shelved the bill, continued demonstrations are necessary to show that the people of Hong Kong never want to see such a law enacted. A demonstrator in Hong Kong spoke to the Palo Alto crowd live via Skype asking that people appeal to US congressional authorities by signing a petition in support of the people of Hong Kong.
Most of the hundreds listening to speakers wore black to show solidarity with Hong Kong protesters and some wore masks. Nicholas of South Bay Revolutionary Socialists sported a mask and cap and had his collar pulled up revealing the letters BLOC on the back. Asked for his reaction to the speakers, Nicholas laughingly said, “of course I don’t believe that writing to US lawmakers will have any effect.” He said of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Lam that “she has her personal agenda,” adding that one can assume she is talking with mainland authorities. He said that China today is “not the socialism we want to see,” as it practices state capitalism.
Nicholas and others carried signs denouncing the police brutality seen in recent protests in Hong Kong. Other signs read "Make Love--No Shoot" and "No Extradition Law." A small contingent of women in medical masks held up signs saying "Taiwan Supports Hong Kong."
A brief outburst by a disrupter was resolved after a heated discussion was moved away from the gathering. It ended peacefully while local Chinese language television news stations filmed. At the close of the rally the emcee asked that everyone who had taken photos delete faces from them.
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There have been comments in the American media about the apparent indifference of the American public to the struggle by an astonishingly large percentage of the city of Hong Kong’s population to keep their distance from mainland China’s murky and brutal criminal justice system. It was heartening to know that 800 people in Palo Alto, CA rallied in support of Hong Kong’s valiant people. This was a timely and excellent article.
https://twitter.com/tigerbeat/status/1137865706647613440
See photos and report on a demo in solidarity with Hong Kong protesters held on June 9.
See photos and report on a demo in solidarity with Hong Kong protesters held on June 9.
Even if every single American were to protest on behalf of these Hong Kong rebels, absolutely nothing would change in China. Absolutely nothing. And surely we all know this.
Sometimes we must accept the fact that some things are so hopeless that they are stupid to worry about.
Hong Kong population = 7,482,500
China population = 1,403,500,000
1,403,500,000/7,482,500 = 187.57
So who do you think will win?
Certainly China is a '1984' level dictatorship. But our fake select-one 'democracy' regime (and our soon-to-come 'rank choice voting' dictatorship) is rapidly becoming more and more similar to China's every day. And most of us know it.
What will the outcome, if any, of these protests be? The only possible outcome will be more US military/industrial/security spending. That will of course mean more money for guns (that cannot be used without seriously risking global nuclear holocaust), and less money for butter (say, for the many homeless).
If we hope for the world to even begin to listen to us, we first need to clean up our own act, stop spending all our money on weapons of mass destruction, and start taking care of our own people.
Sometimes we must accept the fact that some things are so hopeless that they are stupid to worry about.
Hong Kong population = 7,482,500
China population = 1,403,500,000
1,403,500,000/7,482,500 = 187.57
So who do you think will win?
Certainly China is a '1984' level dictatorship. But our fake select-one 'democracy' regime (and our soon-to-come 'rank choice voting' dictatorship) is rapidly becoming more and more similar to China's every day. And most of us know it.
What will the outcome, if any, of these protests be? The only possible outcome will be more US military/industrial/security spending. That will of course mean more money for guns (that cannot be used without seriously risking global nuclear holocaust), and less money for butter (say, for the many homeless).
If we hope for the world to even begin to listen to us, we first need to clean up our own act, stop spending all our money on weapons of mass destruction, and start taking care of our own people.
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