Hong Kong democracy activists to a planned General strike on Monday. Meanwhile, a Protest against the head of the Executive is stirring in the public service strengthened.
A season typical of the tropical storm has cleared, 16 injured in Hong Kong to his account. The stock exchange suspended temporarily the trade. On Thursday, the atmospheric turbulence have disappeared, but not the political. Carol Ng, chair of the government-critical trade Union Confederation HKCTU, distributed in the bustling district of Mong Kok leaflets (article photo). Your comrades-in-arms gift white bracelets imprinted with “a General strike on 5. August”. According to the will of the activists, the students should not go on this day, in the school, employees not to work and the retailer their stores close.
“The ‘small potatoes’ also means your pressure so that your voice will be heard to strike, for example,” says Carol Ng in an Interview with DW, while you diligently distributed your flyers. The “small potatoes” in English and Canton, the self-designation for the simple inhabitants of the financial capital, coming just to the edge of.
Focus of the planned strike, according to social media activists
Pressure is to be strengthened by strike
12. June had made the protest movement in Hong Kong, thanks to the massive pressure of the road a success: The legislative Council, the Hong Kong Parliament, suspended the 2. Reading of the controversial recast of the extradition act for an indefinite period of time and recommended the city administration to suspend the proceedings, what head of government Carrie Lam did. She went, but so far, the project, therefore, the facilitation of extradition of Suspects to the mainland, was definitely excluded.
Almost two months later, the activists with a wide strike to intensify the pressure on the government of Hong Kong. The initiators are not known by name. Coordination takes place through social networks. The main demands: the investigation of a police force, a waiver of indictment against the demonstrators due to “turmoil” and direct elections of Parliament and the chief administrator.
Calls for Protest by employees of the public service
Increasingly criticised in the public service
Increasingly, employees of the administrative apparatus are to be found among the protesters now. One of them, Alex,” the employee is “in the office for Innovation and technology, the not want to reveal the DW his true name. He told that even in the residence of the head of government Carrie Lam, in washrooms, corridors and kitchenettes, advertised with posters for a staff meeting on Friday.
Alex the DW, such a poster with the image of the government building and the Text: “We are ordinary citizens, if we do not have any service”. Alex explains: “duty of Neutrality applies, as long as we are in the service. If we do not have any service, we are simple citizens of the city of Hong Kong. We must also Express our opinions, especially when it comes to the future of the city.”
On Thursday, a Letter was issued by the management of the public service to the more than 100,000 state employees, in the reminds them of their duty of loyalty to the Hong Kong government and the political reluctance to be asked. Meanwhile, was sent, according to Alex in an open letter to Carrie Lam, the “was signed by 1138 officials from 52 departments,” with the claim to the legitimate demands of the citizens.
“The release of the Righteous, the investigation against corrupt police,” asks the poster this protester in front of a Hong Kong court
“Government is incompetent”
“Managers we are not able to win for this action. No one wants to put his career on the line. In some Offices of already disciplinary proceedings against the strike are to run at the end of the officials,” reported Alex. However, many officials are willing to take a clear Position and to take the legal risk. “That would also be a Signal to the rest of the citizens.”
The originally planned new law on Extradition to have donated a lot of unrest within the administration, says Alex. “We have kept back our opinion for a long time. The political officials, who would certainly have been able to prevent the division of the company, have done nothing about it. The head of administration of Lam and its top officials are unable to Govern.”
In the past few months, Hong Kong was the scene of violent clashes between police and civilians. About a hundred people were arrested on the outskirts of the demonstrations firmly. Dozens of them will be on trial for “sedition”.
The situation in Hong Kong is tense
“Violence is not a solution”
Sam is one of the duration of the protesters. The 33-year-old programmer ensures that seinie comrades-in-arms protection equipment against tear gas. In his spare time, he collects donations and buys breathing masks. “We might need you on Monday,” says Sam, compared to the DW, and adds: “violence is not a solution. But the police always harder against demonstrators. I hope that this time the Demonstration remain peaceful and that the protesters are reasonable.”
The Ministry’s staff, Alex and the Union girl Ng hope for a broad participation in the strike on Monday. “If public life is placed by the strike lame, we might have a breakthrough.” In Mong Kok, Carol Ng advertises for the strike. Many passers-by are curious and show understanding. “You have a lot of success!” says one who accepts the white bangle. Other pass apathetic to the state of the Union. You Carol Ng your message to: “The attainment of political rights is more important than a day’s wage. We are a community of fate, and sitting in a boat.”