On Monday, a General strike, Hong Kong paralysed. The public life was only possible to a limited extent. DW spoke with protesters about their commitment and Motivation. Phoebe Kong, Hong Kong.
This Monday it is in Hong Kong is humid and warm. The Thermometer climbs to over 30 degrees. Crowds of people in the mourning color of Black, have gathered at the same time in six different districts to large rallies. In a seventh district, the police prohibited the protest action at the last Minute. Nevertheless, many people spontaneously go “for a walk”, to advise on the future of their home town.
The situation during the General strike in the whole city is very tense. The protesters impede since the early Morning commuter traffic – on roads and rails. Many subway lines, including the Express railway to the airport, do not drive at times. Flights will be cancelled. The public life is partially lame.
Wesley (r.) with his parents on a protest action
“The Right as a citizen in Hong Kong”
The medical student Wesley came to the Protest in the district of Wong Tai Sin. The budding Radiologist, early 20’s, doing an internship in a clinic. On Monday, he appeared not as the most of the students from his Year to the service. He is aware of the danger that he may get in trouble with the University. “Maybe my career is also in the bucket,” says Wesley. “But no matter! In this critical Moment I want to do the Right thing! The Right as a citizen of Hong Kong. This is more important than the student stuff.”
The meeting place in Wong Tai Sin is well filled. The Cries of “Hong Kong, add oil!” halls over the whole terrain. “Add oil” is in the Hong Kong dialect is an expression, to his fellow award of courage. Other call: “Hong Kong has no Problem with violence, but with the Malefactors in the administration!”. Some activists hold on to the Podium to Talk, but in the noise of the protests for the most part.
The demands of the protesters
Wesley’s father Eric is also come. The Manager goes on strike today also. “The young Generation has already achieved a lot,” he says Interview at the DW. “The law on Extradition could be stopped. Now my Generation is on the train.” With his employer, he’ll be fine, adds Eric. His company, apparently, an international group, be tolerant, and open to the world. He argues for more understanding. “The strike today is the head of Administration Carrie Lam to complicate the Rule. Everything else would be new? It may well be that the strike brings with it today for a Moment of discomfort, but if we should, in the medium term to achieve our goals, in the long term, all citizens in Hong Kong, some of it.”
The stated goals of the protesters are clearly defined. You want the government to bury the controversial extradition act definitively and determination allow for the sake of the police force by an independent Commission. Finally, Lam for their bad government to come back to and the way for direct elections, free make.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyProtesters block the subway doors
With all the force, Protesters brace themselves against the doors of the subway cars. Employees of the subway from Hong Kong try the blockages to dissolve. Nevertheless, on Monday morning to significant delays. Four U-Bahn lines out temporarily and even completely. At the start of the General strike, said the protesters at the Hong Kong transport network.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyChaotic scenes on the streets
Not only in U-Bahn-traffic in the General strike makes for plenty of delays. Also on the streets, the cars jam. The reason: protesters at the end of the driving block lanes with barricades, as here, at the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. Many commuters to be late, or not at all to your workplace.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyMore than 200 flights cancelled
Also, employees of the airport participate in the strike. The result: At the Hong Kong airport, about 200 flights to and from fall until the afternoon. Chief Secretary Carrie Lam addresses on Monday morning to the Public, and warns that protests would summon an “extremely dangerous Situation” up.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyPolice arrested 82 protesters
On Monday afternoon protest rallies against the Beijing faithful leaders will begin throughout the city. Tens of thousands of protesters to gather on public squares, in shopping centers or like here in the Tamar Park. In some places, the police continued with tear gas against the protesters. By early evening, 82 people arrested.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyUmbrellas for democracy
No matter whether rain or sunshine: The umbrellas the protesters have become since the umbrella movement in 2014 for the Symbol of the protest movement. The umbrellas to protect against tear gas and pepper spray. In addition, the protesters do not want to be recognized on the Videos to the police immediately.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyThe most serious political crisis since the age of 22
In the financial metropolis of Hong Kong for nearly two months of rallies with hundreds of thousands of participants. According to the Hong Kong police since the age of 9. June, 420 people have been arrested. Police officers fired approximately 1000 loads of tear gas. Observers see the protests as the most serious political crisis in Hong Kong since the handover to China 22 years ago.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyYou are calling for democratic reforms
Helmets against batons, umbrellas against tear gas: The clashes between police and demonstrators pointed to. The protests were sparked in the government’s plans for a regulation, according to the Accused, after China delivered could be. Meanwhile, the protesters also demand the resignation of the head of government, Carrie Lam and democratic reforms.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyMore violence on both sides
At the weekend, attacked protesters, a man, to have hidden images for the police. The man had to be treated by paramedics. The Central government in Beijing has condemned the violence several times sharply, and the government and the local police prompted to re-establish order.
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Hong Kong: umbrellas for democracyLove in a sign of protest
Protest goes peacefully: Henry Tong starts with a yellow helmet and reflective jacket – the typical clothing of the Hong Kong protesters – in the marriage. Appropriately, the freshly baked wife Elaine To hold up a sign with the inscription: “let’s do it together”.
Protest in front of the administration building
On Monday, the Admiralty is the venue of large-scale protests. Here is Carrie Lam’s office, and with municipal authorities, Parliament and the Supreme court the political center of the 7-million-metropolis.
Among the protesters, Alan, works for a Chinese state-owned Bank in the neighboring financial district, Central. “My supervisor told me that I should send him a Selfie in the workplace as evidence that I was in the office today,” says the 29-Year-old to the DW, laughing. “He says it would be for the company worrying when I could be me at this ‘sensitive’ day in the office look.” The majority of Alan’s colleagues supported the protests. “The financial services for Hong Kong is of enormous importance. By my strike, I want to give the protests more forcefully.”
The Statements of the head of Administration for Lam would not have convinced him, so Alan continued. Lam speaking only of “violent extremists who slander the power of the state.” Their Position was further up the course of the Communist party, which have built on the mainland in a police state. Lam was a hopeless case.
Head Of Administration Mrs Carrie Lam
Lam, Beijing-price
Eric from the district of Wong Tai Sin brings his criticism to the point: “Carrie Lam, for me, is no more than a voice recorder that repeated the claims from Beijing. I do believe that she understands what we want, but it does not speak to the people in Hong Kong, but to the rulers in Beijing. She wants to keep all options open, to not be able to Beijing’s armed forces to call for help, if you know more.”
Eric’s son, joins in: “Why do we have to go because every Time they protest. Demos are damn exhausting! We are not separatists or perpetrators of violence. We simply want to real democracy and social peace.”