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Letters | Millions of Hongkongers have shown who they are, and just in time for the elections
- Hongkongers walked against the extradition bill to find their voice, and many expect to speak through the ballot boxes
What was on display last Sunday was absolutely extraordinary. To the occasional strains of Do You Hear the People Sing, the protest took on meaning beyond anything so mundane as calling for the extradition bill to be dropped or for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to resign.
The law of unintended consequences was writ large over us. We now shine! Hong Kong exceptionalism is here to stay unless Beijing remains sadly fearful of a level playing field, the rule of law and compassion for our fellow men, and, in particular, the belief that we can do better and be better.
In the summer of 1989, Hong Kong became political. I reckon that 2 million walked that May too, in a spontaneous outpouring of grief and anger. I saw it from our offices in Taikoo Shing. And, since the bloody crackdown of June 4, Hong Kong comes out every year to remember it. Now you see it on full display: who we are!
Hong Kong people have every right to be proud. It is the stuff of Guinness World Records that 2 million people protested peacefully. Will Beijing listen, and more to the point, does it matter? Sunday, June 16, put Hong Kong on the map. And, as an aside: “Hey, we’re part of China. Imagine that.”
Stuart R. McCarthy, Causeway Bay
Message from the people was loud and clear
As we did on June 9, attending the protest dressed in white, we attended the June 16 protest dressed in black.
My wife and I are both approaching 70 and were overwhelmed by all the young people that attended. The turnout was even bigger the second time around: the message from the people overwhelmingly clear.
For decades, our government in collusion with vested interests has mismanaged Hong Kong. Billions and billions of taxpayers’ money have been spent on projects the Hong Kong people never asked for, while the same people were being denied the care required.
The message was very clear. The days of the “old boys’ clubs” in collusion with the government are numbered. The pro-establishment camp has been severely hurt today, if not shown to be irrelevant. We are looking forward to the upcoming elections, because suddenly Hong Kong has found its voice again. It was about time.
Peter den Hartog, Tuen Mun
Proper thanks to be extended at the ballot box
Along with a great many others, I really appreciated being able to participate in the two anti-extradition marches. Not only did we get some exercise, many hours under the blazing sun, but also a long and close look at the urban streetscape of Hennessy Road. But the principal, and totally inspiring benefit, was to be in the company of hundreds of thousands of decent, like-minded Hongkongers who love our home.
Many marchers attributed this massive uplifting event to Carrie Lam, our chief executive. And for this she is now called by some “the mother of democracy”, a well-earned title.
But it is unfair on others that she be accorded the sole honour, although she has claimed authorship and leadership. We must not forget that we would not have got into this situation and had these marches without the advice and support of the unofficial members on the Executive Council, all august individuals whose sage and wise counsel she treasures.
And, in particular, let us also not forget the unwavering support of the loyalist legislators headed by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, who supported the passage of the extradition bill, and bravely ignored community calls otherwise. Let us remember to thank them properly at the ballot box at the next opportunity.
Clive Noffke, Cheung Sha, Lantau
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