Hong Kong’s fight against tyranny
Massive crowds march along the urban streets. Banners wave overhead, calling for “freedom and democracy.” Police and riot officers stand in opposition to the protests, donning heavy-duty gear and weaponry. The city almost looks like a warzone, like something out of a movie, but it’s real. This is what the state of Hong Kong is today, and has been since early June: it’s a fight against tyranny.
During the early months of 2019, government officials in Hong Kong introduced a bill that would essentially allow people accused of crimes in Hong Kong to be extradited in countries that Hong Kong did not have extradition treaties. Opposition blew up almost immediately after this bill was introduced, due to one simple fact: individuals could be targeted by enemy nations, specifically, Communist-controlled China, Hong Kong’s political and social nemesis.
This immense tension between the common people and their government officials is only furthered by the fact that the chief executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, was appointed to her powerful position by a committee that is pro-China.
These protests have only grown in strength and numbers over the past two months, largely due to support from foreign nations, and to the incredibly harsh responses the protesters have received from police. Despite the vast majority of the demonstrations being peaceful, police and riot teams attack and arrest the protesters; many of these officers also belong to pro-China and pro-Beijing groups. Furthermore, these officers have been recorded attacking tourists and people who have nothing to do with the protests, all to increase their power over the city. These corrupt government workers have even been witnessed arresting or preventing first-aiders from helping people who have been injured in the clashes.
All in all, the general public of the world needs to keep their eyes on the developments in Hong Kong. The people of Hong Kong are beginning to “wake up” and realize how tyrannical government can be when their powers are questioned. We must come together to support this movement for freedom in liberty, and use it to inspire us to remember to protect our own civil liberties.
Nick is a senior at Delphi and this is his second year in Parnassus. He runs varsity cross country and track and field. He is also a member of Student...