Tag: umbrella square

Umbrella Movement Images – 7 November, 2014

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A cold grey morning, matured into a damp miserable night – the first really grotty night of the six week long protest. Yet, Umbrella Square was a hive of activity as protestors water-proofed their leaky ‘made-in-China” tents and raised them off the road. Modified supply centres, and continued to raise and expand awareness through discussion, art, music and friendship.

HK’s postcrossing community held their third hand-out of postcards. 40,000 cards in 30 designs, the message was simple the cards are free, post them to your friends around the world!

Advertising executives gave away stickers they’d designed and created. Others gave away umbrella charms and love HK necklaces. While Flo and her friends delivered hot spicy Chinese style ginger soup to help ward off the cold and damp.

The unique peaceful nature of the Umbrella Movement was emphasised by the newspaper images of violent protest on the streets of London and Belgium the previous night. The most ‘aggression’ shown by the protesters has been against invading rain water and the constant menace of rubbish.

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Can You Hear Us? Mingpao Interviewing Yvonne Leung

Yvonne Leung

【Can you hear us? Mingpao interviewing Yvonne Leung, HKFS / Oct 31, 14 HKT】

In a century of dialogue with the government, 21-year-old Yvonne Leung is the only woman to have represented the Hong Kong Federation of Students. Looking back on her commendable performance, she says ‘No matter how nervous I was, I knew what I had to say.’ Currently studying politics and law at HKU, Leung was already well on her way to paving a path for others to follow. Today, after being surrounded by people, she discovered her fear of being in the spotlight, and says that she just wants to be a good person who does not participate in shady or underhand practices. Leung, tentatively-turned-lawyer, ‘holds dear a lot of things that Hong Kong is slowly losing.’

Fame comes at a price. Yvonne received phone calls where she was sworn at and asked aggressively, ‘When are you going to stop?’ She laughs and says that it’s not a problem. In the occupied areas of Mong Kok, when over a hundred people surrounded her to praise her, shake her hand and take pictures with her she was happy to do so, saying that ‘[She] did not want to disappoint anyone.’ The Internet has an even more enthusiastic response; her Facebook page has over 6000 followers who call her ‘Goddess’ and are very interested in her relationship status. She says that she is single, and that ‘everyone says I have a boyfriend but I’d like to know who he is!’ She shakes her head and repeats, ‘ I don’t like being in the spotlight nor do I think a cult of personality is helpful. She is aware of her position, and says that ‘I am different to Alex (Chow, HKFS Secretary-General) and Lester (Shum, Deputy Secretary-General) as I’m a general committee member and want to do things that they normally are not able to do. To avoid furore in the streets, she stayed in the occupied areas until late at night, chatting with protestors. ‘I don’t know if the people on the streets feel like there is a lack of direction. In my experience, they are not sure if staying on the streets will end in an exit strategy.’ Dialogue with the government has not swayed the decision of the NPCSC, but it has certainly changed Leung’s life path. Years ago she worked a summer internship with the Civic Party before continuing with her studies of law and politics; now the Occupy movement has resulted in some reflection. Leung says ‘the politics are not effective. But I’m not saying I am the most suitable candidate either, I definitely see things in black and white.’ She is now focused on her goal of becoming a human rights lawyer. However, she has not been to university in a few months nor completed any assignments. Some students have postponed their studies for a year to focus on work, but Leung feels ‘it’s not worth it, as the assignments will eventually be done.’

Her parents are worried for her. Although they understand and support the Occupy movement, they worry that the students don’t grasp the concept of ‘quitting while you’re ahead’ and that history may repeat itself. Yvonne sleeps 5 to 6 hours a night, but this is the only time she spends at home. The rest of her day is divided between the three Occupy areas, the HKFS offices and her university dorm. ‘[My parents] think that it’s unwise for me to put my full energy into this, but it’s difficult not to as there is always something happening, from dawn til dusk.’ Yvonne’s phone was buzzing throughout the interview with messages and calls, one of which was Mrs. Leung asking her daughter to come home for dinner.

Her younger brother, who is in the final years of high school, is as involved in Occupy Hong Kong as his sister. He was one of many protestors who took refuge in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on Sept 28th when tear gas was fired on the students. Like their mother, he sends her messages from time to time, usually offering to buy her dinner. She smiles sadly at the messages.

Hong Kong’s future is on their shoulders and the pressure is indescribable. Although she is calm and collected on stage, she admits that she is a crybaby at heart and will call good friends in tears when she feels under pressure. Her friends have learned to jokingly reply now, ‘Have you used up your crying time today? There is something for you to be unhappy about every day’. After the interview, she puts on a yellow pair of flip-flops and goes home to drink her mother’s soup.

Original article http://news.mingpao.com/pns1410311414691862801 thank you to the unknown translator

Chief Executive Petition Tuesday – 4 November, 2014

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Every Tuesday while Legco’s Executive Council is in session anyone can present a petition about anything to the Chief Executive. Turn-up out side his office early enough to be in the 30 or so people admitted and you can have your say.

Whether he listens or just throws them in the first available bin is open to question. Although if you pay him $50million it probably helps – but then you wouldn’t need Petition Tuesday would you!

Today among the four groups of petitioners was Kong Man Chan and his band of blue ribbon confederates with a petition calling for the arrest of the organisers of the street protests signed by 2809 people. When asked, he offered no details as to whether the identities of the signatories had been confirmed. If you want to sign his petition or hear what he has to say you can reach him on [email protected] or here www.facebook.com/kongman.chan.10

Editors Note: bc finds the blue ribbons ‘Support the police’ slogan – which would imply that they respect law and order, at odds with the actions of blue ribbon supporters who assault and instigates violent attacks against people who disagree with their viewpoint.

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Umbrella Movement Images – 3 November, 2014

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Felix’s giant yellow umbrella is taking shape outside Legco, a group of new friends who met at the protest site are creating a massive plastic/paper umbrella installation. The ‘organic’ garden now has an umbrella bed while the egg pyramid and the brick wall – i admit to missing the exact symbolism of.

There’s no need for symbolism under the shadow of Legco though as the recycling projects expand. Simple and strong reminders that we can and should re-use and that the government should increase it’s recycling efforts. While a home-made wind turbine is providing power to study bye.

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Umbrella Movement Images: Mong Kok – 2 November, 2014

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Mongkok is plastered with information and everywhere you look the middle aged are reading, discussing, questioning, asking. The youth understand, their grandparents remember – the question is, can the parents long ambivalent to politics realise that their opinion matters and their voices can and should be heard.

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Umbrella Movement Halloween – 31 October, 2014

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Zombies, ghouls, witches and marathon runners thronged Umbrella Square on All Hallows Eve to celebrate it’s liberation from the devils of greed and self-interest that infest Legco.

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Umbrella Movement Images – 31 October, 2014

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Sleep, study, soup, tank, drawing, creativity, inspiration, obligation 

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Having CY as Patron…

An Apple Daily reporter enquired about bc’s non-coverage of the Hong Kong String Orchestra concert because CY Leung was their patron – here’s his questions and my not so eloquent answers.

1. Did HKSO respond to bc’s open letter? If they did, what did they say in their response?
No, the Hong Kong String Orchestra (HKSO) has not responded. But just to be clear, I think the HKSO is a wonderful orchestra – our choosing not to report abut them is solely related to the HKSO’s Honorary Patrons comments.

One person emailed us 2 days ago to voice her criticism of our stance. I asked her to post her objections about bc’s position to our website or on facebook. She’s has yet to do so.

2. It was stated in the letter that bc cannot write about HKSO while CY Leung remains as patron of HKSO. CY Leung however is patron for almost 100 different groups and organizations. Will bc extend the boycott to other organizations in which CY is patron or chairperson?
Just as bc magazine has not written about restaurants who sell sharks fin for the last 15 years, bc magazine will not be covering, promoting, writing about or accepting advertising from companies or organizations that CY Leung is a patron of.

Some people may think this unfairly punishes the organisations – but they chose to have CY as their patron for the money and prestige it would bring them. And many have done very well financially from their association with him.

They won’t complain – but should – when he opens his mouth and insults and demeans hard working Hongkongers – who are probably their own customers and employees.

3. Does bc worry that this public statement that criticize the CE would undermine bc’s advertising revenue or bring about political pressure?
Not everyone can get paid $50million for doing nothing. The Chief Executive’s comments were insulting and demeaning to all those Hongkongers who work hard long hours – yet earn less than $14,000/month. The ‘poor’ and working class that CY wants to disenfranchise are the heart of Hong Kong – their work powers the city, their spending goes mostly into local business, they are Hong Kong.

There are also a few questions for you personally:

4. How long have you been in Hong Kong and what brought you here?
22 years

5. bc has followed the Umbrella Movement quite closely. What are your views on the movement?
bc magazine covers the Umbrella Movement by reporting what we see happening – interviewing those involved and reporting what say.

From a personal point of view, I think those who ‘govern’ us have not done the best job in recent years. There’s many reasons for that, mostly self-interest and incompetence, and it runs across all levels and political parties. But greed, stupidity and looking after no1 are hardly unique to HK politicians.

I don’t know if the Umbrella Movement will achieve all its aims – but it’s achievements so far will have a profound impact on Hong Kong. The calls for universal suffrage are placing the dissatisfaction of so many front and centre and demanding that Legco and the CE look out for the interests of all Hongkongers not just the rich. This after all is why they were elected and took an obligation to do and all of them have failed. The failure is theirs, and holding them to account for their failures and personal greed is our responsibility.

6. CY Leung has misspoken in more than one occasion recently, and his integrity has been questioned ever since he was selected. Do you think he is fit for the position of CE?
By his words and actions, my confidence in CY as CE is non-existent. But who would be an improvement? We are stuck with him, until Beijing decides otherwise – until that day arrives we can only hope he learns and improves.

7. You founded bc in 1994 and have witnessed the change of Hong Kong since then. Do you think Hong Kong has become a better or a worse place in the past 20 years?
Hong Kong has changed a lot, but it’s still the world’s greatest city and there’s still no better place to live. No other city / country could have hundreds of thousands of people holding a peaceful protest, with not a window broken. A protest where people look out for others ahead of themselves, pick up the rubbish and recycle unasked. Where seeing someone in need they offer to help not ignore… Beneath the concrete, it’s her people who make HK unique and a wonderful place to call home.

No idea if or when it will be published.

If you think CY Leung’s comments disenfranchising large numbers of Hongkongers purely on their salary is (looking for a polite word here) insulting. Then vote with your wallet, and avoid those businesses / organisations where CY is a patron.