bc magazine

Handover Anniversary Protest March – 1 July, 2019

It’s become a tradition to celebrate the handover of Hong Kong to China and the birth of the Hong Kong SAR on the 1 July with a march to raise awareness of freedom of speech, human rights etc.

A march of 500,00+ people, which closed both sides of Hennessy and Lockhart roads, is an impressive statement. Including the couple of hundred thousand already in Tamar Park and at Legco, this year’s Handover Protest was probably at least 5 times the average turnout.

But in truth, after the protest marches earlier in June when 1 million and 2 million + 1 respectively turned out to protest the extradition law. The Handover March felt small! There was space around you as you walked, the march rarely stopped and the pavements were empty.

It was a massive turnout – but sadly Chief Executive Carrie Lam (who boasted when accepting the job that she would listen to the people and resign if she felt they didn’t approve of her) has already shown that the only people she listens to and cares about are those Beijing.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/Handover-anniversary-protest-1-july-2019/n-7XvDvj/i-phLRQMm

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Handover Protest March, 1 July 2018

As Hong Kong turns 21 it’s unique identity is being choked to death as Beijing ramps up the Chinafication of the SAR. What should be a ‘coming of age’ party feels more like a wake.

Xi’s oppressive clampdown on free speech, extensive intrusion into and monitoring of personal lives and the rewarding of his cronies north of the border has been mirrored locally over the last twelve months. Dissenting voices have been jailed, opposing viewpoints hidden, expanding corruption goes unchecked and the pillaging of the HK governments coffers to reward supporters with generous contracts increases yet further.

The annual 1 July pro democracy march has become diluted and unfocused as hundreds of different groups look to raise cash and promote their individual messages and agendas.

With Hong Kong’s economy still fairly robust and Lam’s leadership anonymous and bland, democracy advocates lack the focal point of the easily vilified 689. Stamping on Lam’s face stuck to the road, lacks the visceral feel and satisfaction of stamping on 689.

Sadly at 21 Hong Kong is dead, like a fish out of water it struggles and flaps around unaware of it’s demise. What does the future hold for Hong Kong China? Sadly the portents are not good.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Democracy-March-1-July-2018/i-vtJtxfG

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Click on any image for more photos.

1 July 2014 – Can You Hear the People Sing

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/1-July-2014-protest-march/42624168_jMqnT5#!i=3356472646&k=TGGG4Kq

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/1-July-2014-protest-march/42624168_jMqnT5#!i=3356469942&k=Hq6GT4x
Hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers took to the streets on the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the HK SAR to express their dissatisfaction with incompetent local politicians and chief executive CY Leung. The biggest protest march in a decade lasted over 8 hours and culminated in a peaceful sit-down protest in Central. #hongkong #689 #freedom

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/1-July-2014-protest-march/42624168_jMqnT5#!i=3356417532&k=P8WTNtj

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click on the photos to see more

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/1-July-2014-protest-march/42624168_jMqnT5#!i=3356413018&k=hT53M2X