Thanksgiving in Hong Kong

Whenever I would listen to the news in my car on the way to work, I would always want to know what it would be like to actually go and experience a historic event in person. Last fall I did just that. When I told my friends and family about my plans to visit Hong Kong during the protests, I was met with a lot of skepticism and criticism, strong words of opposition that it was not my place to go. But the plane tickets were bought, hotels booked, and I had the support of my amazing wife, without whom I would have never had the courage to do this. 

As the departure date got closer, I would watch countless videos of protestors throwing Molotov Cocktails at riot police vehicles, and endless crowds being doused in tear gas while marching down the streets. I was fairly afraid myself of what I would come across when I land there. 

To my surprise, as soon as I arrived in Hong Kong, I realized that if I didn’t immerse myself in the media coverage of the protests, I would not even be aware that anything out of the ordinary is happening in the city. Perhaps that is because my trip coincided with the Hong Kong Regional Elections, during which the protest actions were a bit sparse. But I did get to experience the Thanksgiving Rally which was organized to thank the US Congress for passing two bills that sided with the Hong Kong protestors.  

My goal was to talk to as many people as possible about their current lives in Hong Kong and how the protests have affected them. Below is a visual essay with memorable quotes from some of the people that I talked to. Knowing the retaliative nature of the Chinese Government, people were reluctant to show their faces on camera, so the quotes that I’ve gathered do not necessarily coincide with the photos.

 “We are friendly and peaceful people, but when friends are pressed down into the ground, how can we not fight? And we are by no means winning this fight, when the use of tear gas has sterilized an entire generation.”

“Freedom never comes free, but no one should beg for it on their knees.”

“We are thankful for the Hong Kongers and the foreigners that pressured Congress to pass the act.”

“We are thankful for the front line freedom fighters and for all Hong Kong citizens uniting.”

“We don’t care about any of Trump’s policies. We just care that he signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.”

“5 demands, not one less” – a chant at each protest, gathering and rally.

“The protests are like the weather. You check your phone before you head out for the day, prepare, and if you get caught in one, you just brace down and wait it out.”

– an expat permanent resident of HK

“Some people say the protestors are just rowdy kids who have nothing better to do, but they are risking their lives. No one would risk 7 years in jail unless it’s a cause they truly believe in.”

– parent of one of the protest organizers

“I feel really happy that the people turned out to vote and let their voice be heard. Now it’s up to the executive to listen to the people’s voice.”

– Honk Kong politician // recently elected in the District Council

“Why is the police filming everyone?”

“They are gathering evidence for when it comes time to make arrests.”

“It doesn’t matter if you wear a mask to cover your face or not, they have technology to identify you based on your body dimensions. And their cameras are everywhere.”

“Why did the Hong Kong protestors adopt Pepe as their symbol?”

“Well, he’s just so sad, and we’re sad as well.”

“I am here to be a part of history. Our kids will learn about this in their history class.”

“Sorry I’m running late, these damn protests are again blocking the street.”

“I think the protesters are doing a good job. I just don’t like the violence. I like calm.”

“I am ok with the protestors fighting back with arrows and bombs. It is nothing compared to what I’ve seen the police do.”