Social Workers and Lennon Walls, Five Demands Nothing Less and a Democracy Movement in Hong Kong

A general assembly and a Lennon Wall in Central, 

messages to the world. 

Alec and Laurie at the assembly and rally in Hong Kong! — in Hong Kong.

A social worker  in the movement. 

Democracy for Hong Kong. When a western journalist puts a camera in front of you asking why you are here and you say as a New Yorker I understand not appreciating cops beating up your friends or standing by for 39 minutes when 45 people are beaten by a gang. The good people of Hong Kong deserve to determine their own fate. Five demands nothing more nothing less. Stop the extradition bill. — in Hong Kong.

Five demands not one less. — at 軒尼詩道.

Occupy central. Stay strong Hong Kong! — in Hong Kong.

With teargas still in the air,

We met in Central for a the  rally and general assembly.

People were wearing gas masks.

We’d spent the morning looking at Banyan Trees on our way up Victoria’ peak.

The trees and their vines  winding  between the concrete and the skies,

Creating interconnected branches extending through  the distance.

The  city allows for the vines.

Like  democracy its better when it’s a little messy.

What a mysterious city.

Near the courts and judicial buildings, police sit holding shields.

And Filipino women sit in boxes, playing cards,

Drinking beer, putting on  impromptu fashion shows,

Celebrating friendship.

Migrants,  democracy  activists, and police sharing space.

I have a bit of a foreboding feeling,  looking  at the police.

Waiting  for Laurie, I  look at  Lennon Wall,

“Five Demands Nothing Less,” one post it note declares.

These include a complete withdraw of the extradition bill and

Investigation of the police use of force the protests.

“Be like water we are  more resilient than you think.”

“Stay strong Hong Kong.”

Laurie and Alec and I walk to the plaza for the permitted assembly and unpermitted rally take  place.

Medics are giving out water and makeshift masks in the case of more teargas.

“Shame” chants the crowd at the police.

Laurie, Alex and I talk about what’s happened.

With the 2047 end of the “One Country,  Two Systems” policy, 

it looks like the people of Hong Kong are drawing a line,

saying this can’t be crossed.

Democracy now and forever.

But there have been so many lines crossed,

o many times from 2003 to the Umbrella Movement in 2014 to the battle of the extradition bill and the attack  on the protestors last week.

“I don’t see anything,” the police seemed to say as people were being beaten.

So many lines crossed.

“Hong Kong, Stay Strong!!!” the crowd screams. 

Its like a marathon. 

Marches with upward of a million people or two.

A quarter million on Saturday.

People as far as I can see today.

One man holds a sign asking:

“Can the Hong Kong police be trusted?”

It’s so beautiful, this city, powerful empires want a piece  of it.

The British fought an Opium War for it.

And now the People’s Republic of China pulling,

Controlling.

Policing.

Suppressing.

Today’s rally is permitted.

But the crowd begins to march, without a permit.

The city denied a permit yesterday.

And the result was a confrontation.

That may happen today.

No one knows.

But we walk through the streets,

Through Central.

Past the police headquarters and a ramen shop that supported the movement. 

Elders marching.

Young people.

A man in a t shirt with the word “social worker.”

Social workers have been at the forefront of the movement. 

They’ve all lead the  movement.

At issue is a question of public assembly.

The only unpermitted actions that are allowed are religious ceremonies.

So activists sing

‘Glory to the Lord’ over and over again as they gather.

Writing versus of old freedom songs.

Hopefully China will see that freedom of speech is not a threat.

So far Capitalism has not opened up China to new expression. 

The People’s Republic plays the long game.

They want control.

But an authoritarian turn will not sit well in Hong Kong.

By the end of the day, teargas will fill  the streets again.

Hopefully, the country can allow for some of the democracy the activists are demanding.

Five demands nothing less.