Koale is a Canadian HongKonger in her mid 20s and is a physiotherapist working at a hospital. She was born in Canada but has strong family and social ties to Hong Kong. As a teenager she was diagnosed with PCOS, a hormonal condition that can affect a person’s weight. Over the years, she has worked to prioritise her own needs and promote better understanding of body image issues.

“People exist in all different shapes and sizes, so I think it is time everyone became a little less judgmental.” — KOALE

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/koale-body-image-and-stigma-in-hong-kong-society

Despite his young age, Hin has already been arrested twice. Even with several charges on him, he still stands as the vanguard of numerous protests without fear. For the sake of Hong Kong, he brushes off the many insults and taunts thrown at him by the Hong Kong Police Force.

“This is a fight we cannot lose; we cannot just throw in the towel and let Hong Kong be forcibly assimilated as part of China. This is my home: I will not leave it and will gladly die for the sake of it.” — HIN

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/hin-an-arrested-protester-when-being-young-is-a-crime

His name is Ricky. Arriving in Hong Kong as a stowaway, he experienced the glorious era of the 1980s while leading a life of luxury and dissipation. However, it was marriage and family that transformed him from a boy into a man.

“Looking back through his life, he had been at the forefront of trends as well as the furthest back; in relationships, he had played the role of the scum, and also the faithful lover; he had rollercoastered through the highest points of craziness, and pulled through the lowest feelings of misery. And now, he leads a simple, pleasant life. He realised the beauty in the ordinary from having lived an extraordinarily eventful life. ” — RICKY

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/ricky-a-fathers-coming-of-age-story-how-a-boy-grew-into-a-man

Miss M grew up in Canada and returned to Hong Kong in 2008. She has since taught English at four different schools, witnessing the change of the education sector in Hong Kong from the Umbrella Movement[*1] to the Anti-Extradition Movement[*2]. Hong Kong is full of the CCP’s lackeys, but the seemingly-peaceful Vancouver is also in turmoil. Between Hong Kong and Canada, where does she belong?

“We are in the age of White Terror. With the education system that praises obedience and neglects critical thinking, it is even harder to find people with a clear mind in this society. As for us teachers, it is also getting harder. ” — MISS M

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/miss-m-guarding-the-city-we-call-home

This is Michael’s fifth year working for the MTR as a train driver for the East Rail Line. He founded the eighth MTR trade union ‘Railway Power’ in 2019 and is currently the union’s chairman. It’s not easy to work for a controversial company, let alone establishing a trade union. Let’s learn more about Michael’s story below.

“There is a group of Hongkongers who by the power of trade unions wish to rebuild the image of the MTRC from the nickname ‘Communist Party Railway’.” — MICHAEL

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/michael-chan-communist-party-railway-image-reversal-though-mtr-trade-union

Pandora is an art therapist based in the UK, currently studying for a doctorate degree. Her anxiety grew as she watched the anti-ELAB movement unfold. Unable to participate while being overseas, she launched ‘Project Enheartening’, sending postcards gathered in the UK to Hongkongers. Let’s hear from her experience of the power of art.

“Regardless of political stance, Hongkongers are feeling the same emotions: upset and anxious. Without a doubt, Hongkongers are experiencing a collective trauma. Resolving our emotions is something everyone in Hong Kong should address; whoever wins, in the end, we still have to survive together.” — PANDORA

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/pandora-the-power-of-art-healing-ones-soul

Lee Johnson has been an international educator for over 15 years, having lived in Hong Kong since 2017. He also resided in Hong Kong during the Umbrella Revolution in 2014. With the current social and political unrest, and considering the range of perspectives within the school community, Lee tries to focus on ensuring the school is a safe, joyful space for the children and adults in his care, while continuing to foster a tolerant and open-minded global community.

“It is very important that all students in Hong Kong, local and international, learn how to challenge ideas, to question the information people give them, to think for themselves, and to take action to improve the world around them.” — LEE JOHNSON

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/lee-johnson-educator-at-an-international-school-working-together-for-the-future-of-hong-kong

Keyboard Warrior is a post-80s HongKonger who became a fulltime housewife in June 2019. Due to the anti-extradition movement, her relationship with her family changed drastically. Her husband has very different values and she reconsiders whether she should have children under the current situation in Hong Kong.

“How did we get into this situation? I didn’t know that this deadlock in Hong Kong over the past few months would also turn our family upside down.” — KEYBOARD WARRIOR

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/keyboard-warrior-politics-dividing-generations-we-keep-wasting-time-whose-fault-is-it

V is a Venezuelan-born 14-year-old secondary school student and is currently living in Chile. Thanks to a coincidence, she is now a member of an online promotional team, providing artworks and Spanish-translated materials to the team.

“The general public may think that art is something unrealistic, something difficult to understand, but it could be down-to-earth too. This movement is filled with different forms and types of artwork. They have become a part of our daily life, bringing people from different age groups and locations together. With art, a kid or a foreigner who does not understand Chinese could understand the meaning conveyed in an artwork. This makes information of the protest easier to reach. That’s the spirit of art - art speaks louder than words.” — V

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/v-strangers-on-the-same-path-a-city-of-creative-comrades

Dante, 24, is the founder of the group Syun Mahn which designs promotional materials for the Anti-ELAB Movement. He is also a volunteer driver and the admin for a group that coordinates supplies. He narrates the experience of being kicked out of his home, but he has no regrets in participating in the movement.

“The moment I stepped out of the door, the word “home” has lost all the connotations it once had. I don’t even think of my parents as family anymore, because I can’t wrap my head around how my parents could say such words to their son whom they had raised for 24 years. This makes me very sad.” — DANTE

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/dante-expelled-from-home-choosing-between-values-and-family

Little Shrimp is a 17-year-old secondary school student who used to be a frontline protester. At the beginning of 2020, he was persecuted by the Police Force. In the face of white terror, Shrimp made the difficult decision to go into exile. Before he left, he wanted to share a few words with his fellow Hongkongers.

“Going into exile, leaving my family and friends, and sustaining serious injuries to my knees… Some might ask me if it was worth all these sacrifices. I only know that I must shoulder some of the responsibilities to do what ought to be done, so that I have no regrets in the future. ” — SHRIMP

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/little-shrimp-protester-in-exile-i-will-never-give-up

Samuel Chan is an organiser of Conversations with the Courageous, a volunteer group that aims to raise awareness and support of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement through personal interactions with local people in San Francisco.

He is also an organiser of the Hong Kong Affairs Association of Berkeley, a group that aims to raise awareness of issues related to democracy and human rights in Hong Kong among students at the University of California, Berkeley, and the general public.

Samuel was born and raised in Hong Kong. He was previously involved in the Umbrella Movement in 2014 and is now studying for a PhD in Political Science at UC Berkeley.

He also participated in Hong Kong’s protests in the summer of 2019.

“The whole movement has been a reconnecting experience for a lot of people, despite losing some others along the way.” — SAMUEL

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/samuel-chan-reconnecting-people-despite-losing-others-support-through-personal-interactions

Mr Chan is a postman who has been serving Hong Kong for the past 20 years. Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, he volunteered to work extra night shifts.

“The current situation is similar to SARS from 17 years ago–as public servants, we must remain steadfast in our respective positions. If working overtime can help more citizens get the masks they need, I will bend over backwards to make that happen. Regardless of how tiring that may be, I think it is worth it. ” — MR CHAN

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/mr-chan-the-warmth-behind-a-mask-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-night-shift-postman

Chocolate, who just graduated and entered society 17 years ago during the SARS epidemic, compares the situation today to that of SARS in her memory.

“I still remember how lifeless it was during SARS, and the interpersonal distance became farther apart. This time the whole world is going down together, but people still have confidence in Hong Kong, and our community is standing tightly together to fight the virus.” — CHOCOLATE

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/chocolate-the-memories-of-sars

RWBB is a '90s young adult born and raised in Hong Kong. He’s currently an office worker and deems himself an otaku. His hobbies are drawing and writing, and in 2013 he made a Facebook page, “RWBB”, to share different facets of life in Hong Kong with netizens.

“As a student in 2014, I had more opportunities to take to the streets. In 2019, my burdens increased, I lacked the courage to go out, and couldn’t be as carefree as I was. But that’s inevitable as we age – the more we have, the more we worry about, and the larger the costs of taking to the streets, the more excuses we make.” — RWBB

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/rwbb-the-life-of-a-typical-90s-hongkonger

Scarlet is self-employed. After 12 June, she has been on strike, even putting marriage plans aside, to contribute to the movement wholeheartedly. While she still has a conscience, she's making up for all the forgotten life lessons in one go.

“You’d think that the kids who are not seriously injured would be able to return home, but they may actually be financially cut off by their parents and locked out of their homes. Some are threatened by their parents with knives at home. In one case, the father even threatened his daughter and said, “I’ll send you to get raped.” There are many more unimaginable cases. We provide safe houses because we want to help the elderly and the young. We don’t have specific expectations to accomplish, but we just want to keep them safe. ” — SCARLET

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/scarlet-along-with-the-children-as-if-we-are-a-real-home-always-waiting-for-them-to-return

Misshomer is a Hong Konger in her 50s who has a long history of protesting in Hong Kong. Find out her take on how the political landscape has changed since 1989 and her personal thought-provoking experience from a 1 Oct protest.

“I overheard a boy, probably six years old, ask his father, “Are there any police? Are we safe here?” How do we tell them that the police, supposedly trained to protect, have become a political tool to wipe us out, their fellow citizens?” — MISSHOMER

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/misshomer-from-tiananmen-to-anti-elab-my-lingering-fear-from-30-years-of-protesting

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/im-a-prostitute-today-i-want-to-share-with-you-the-story-of-my-life

A 19-year-old F.4 student who quit school to dedicate his all as one of the movement’s frontliners.

“The time has chosen our generation to fight. We are the chosen ones. It is destiny that brought us to this troubled time. As the chosen generation, I don’t see this as a sacrifice, but as our obligation to society. As a HongKonger, I am obligated to not only protect my home, but also to defend justice.”— AH MING

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/ah-ming-the-chosen-generation-19-year-olds-story-of-the-polyu-siege

Journalist of We Are HKers and a CUHK alumnus, recalling the night they transported supplies into CUHK on 12 Nov.

“We almost gave up because of the deep and unsettling sense of fear, yet a voice within told us to go back without wasting another second. I can’t understand how Hong Kong became such a city... On my way back to CUHK, images of the Tiananmen Square massacre continued to replay in my mind. Was it deja vu, or had I lost my sanity? ” — WALNED

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/walned-a-cuhker-delivering-supplies-into-cuhk-anyone-with-a-sense-of-humanity-will-do-the-same

Naomi, owner of Wah Yee Tang Cakeshop, a 35-year-old bakery in Sai Wan, inherited the family business and now runs the shop with her mother. They continue to serve handmade pastries without additives to preserve the traditional taste. They have been under the spotlight recently as they made mooncakes printed with slogans such as "united we stand", "Hongkongers, add oil," and "f**k you” to cheer up Hong Kong people.

“Changing the ingrained beliefs takes a long time. Only by standing on your own grounds could the business survive in such difficult times. If the older generations could reap the success of the present from bitter days of the past, could we do the same for our next generation?” — NAOMI

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/naomi-wah-yee-tang-cakeshop-owner-standing-on-your-own-grounds-the-only-way-for-business-to-survive

The struggles of a 20-30 year-old Hongkonger who grew up in a Christian household and happens to be gay

“I often thought, “What if someone sees us? Will they think that we’re disgusting?” Am I disgusting? I saw being gay as a huge problem that needed to be solved. And now, I don’t focus so much on seeing it as a ‘problem’, although it is something that I am still working on. Self discovery and acceptance require courage and a caring community, and I was lucky enough to have both.” — SKITTLES

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/skittles-what-it-means-to-be-gay-chinese-and-christian-all-at-once-in-each-of-us-there-is-a-desire-to-know-speak-and-love-freely

“In reality, there are differences between the aims and objectives of a social worker. We want to reach out to youths who are not cared for by the system, but only a handful of them would actually come to us for help. When a social movement puts our youth on the spotlight, I ask instead—just how much is the government willing to help them?” — CARMEN

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/carmen-frontline-social-worker-a-mother-trying-her-best-to-accompany-young-people

39 year old cook lives alone peacefully. Now working at an affordable Western-style restaurant, he contributes to the movement with his culinary art.

“Do you know what the world’s best seasoning is? It’s hunger —because as long as you are hungry, anything will taste delicious!” — POLY U'S COOK

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/a-professional-cook-cooking-for-protesters-at-city-u-and-poly-u-ill-stay-as-long-as-someone-here-needs-me

A PR professional based in Vancouver, Canada

“I still cannot say that we have sent out the right messages to ‘click’ with most Canadians to their heart. Some people say they support Hong Kong; others wonder why. We just have too many stories to tell; there are too many things happening. That’s the real problem.” — MAVIS

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/mavis-spending-time-reading-sad-news-i-should-think-about-how-i-can-help

Hongkonger who left to study in the UK and now lives and works in London, discusses their relationships with family and grapples with identity and deciding whether or not to go back.

“The crux of the problem is that Hongkongers see no future. They are terrified of what will happen in 2047. We have been protesting since the handover in 1997. We have given the government many chances to implement changes. Yet, time and again, they have failed us. What more can we do? What more should we do?” — JEREMY

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/jeremy-hongkonger-who-studied-and-is-working-in-the-uk-if-you-are-forced-into-a-corner-and-no-one-listens-to-you-what-else-can-you-do-except-protest

Having grown up in the sub-urban areas of Hong Kong, where she saw real value, why was Ezra let down by the people who lived in it so much that she does not want to return to the place?

“I was privileged enough to sit in the living room, where I could hear the stream trickling by, or roaring past whenever it swelled after a thunderstorm. Sometimes an egret would come to fish, and I would always wait quietly to watch it take off and glide away.” — EZRA

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/ezra-the-value-of-sub-urban-areas-things-remain-beautiful-and-good-because-of-the-actions-you-take-to-keep-them-that-way

A post-90s worker who is extremely afraid of repeating the same mistakes of the Umbrella Movement, and has to go on the front line no matter what.

“We never push with the intent to harm or kill the police. We just want to push them back so that the PRNs won’t be afraid of taking to the streets. I hope those two million people can once again come forward, even if they only help with passing supplies at the back. I promise that us frontliners will always stand in front of PRNs, so that if anything goes wrong, we will be at the front shielding you and making sure all the PRNs have retreated safely before leaving. ” — KELVIN

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/kelvin-frontliner-on-why-he-is-willing-to-sacrifice-if-i-succumb-to-fear-hong-kong-will-fall-apart

“I think people in my country don’t really understand how important Hongkongers’ fight is. As Switzerland is one of the most democratic countries in the world, freedom to us is like ‘air’, we are born with it - it is taken for granted. So I was wondering what I could do in an artistic way to help them understand.” — POLLY

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/polly-swiss-graphic-designer-as-a-paper-lover-i-love-how-hongkongers-go-back-to-paper-for-communication-and-promotion

“I was really worried, and my heart was burning in anxiousness. I wanted to cry. But I kept reminding myself that I was working, I had to hold back my tears. What was really happening down there? What took the paramedics so long?” — CARMEN

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/carmen-social-worker-who-was-at-the-31-aug-incident-until-the-truth-is-revealed-hongkongers-will-never-give-up

“In nursing, we embrace moral principles that guide our professional medical practice. We value equality, honesty, and integrity. Most of all, we learn to do no harm. ” — EMMA

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/emma-final-year-student-nurse-who-attends-protests-as-a-first-aider-i-dont-want-to-regret-not-contributing-more-when-protestors-have-already-sacrificed-so-much

A protestor describes a scary incident she experienced with a knife-wielding thug and the police.

“We realised we couldn’t rely on anyone - not the police - because they’d arrest us, and definitely not the white shirts who would chase us down.” — LISA

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/lisa-it-was-my-first-time-facing-danger-a-danger-that-was-so-close

Singaporean expat, who’s been living in Hong Kong for the past 5 years, compares the 2019 movement to the Umbrella Movement, and marvels at the amazing teamwork he’s witnessed.

“Hongkongers are doing whatever they can, regardless of where and who they are, with the same goal in mind. They’ve got it all covered. There’s even a group that collects recyclables at every protest, and another that cleans up the site after protests. It never ceases to amaze me how they can bond together so quickly and efficiently, fuelled by the anger towards injustice and the love for freedom.” — G

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/g-hong-kongers-are-doing-whatever-they-can-regardless-of-where-and-who-they-are-with-the-same-goal-in-mind

“I realised a lot of people around me are really angry. There’s a guy who sits next to me at work who gets really upset, but that’s all... There’s no point in being angry by yourself. You’re not helping anyone; you’re just making yourself unhappy. When I realised that, I started becoming more active.” — AMY

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/amy-people-just-look-at-the-surface-they-only-see-the-chaos-but-they-dont-ask-why-there-is-chaos

“A lot of people in mainland China hold the opinion that Hongkongers are spoiled. But I would say that Hongkongers have tasted freedom, and to take that away from us is just ruthless.” — ANNE

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/anne-in-hong-kong-i-can-say-whatever-i-want-out-loud-and-not-be-afraid

A DAYDREAMER, WHO GREW UP IN HONG KONG, STUDIED IN SWEDEN, AND TRAVELLED AROUND EUROPE, EXPLORES WHERE SHE FEELS SHE BELONGS.

“Growing up under the English-medium education in Hong Kong where freedom of speech and independent thinking are celebrated, I have come to realise my generation (post-90s) is very different from my parents’ (60s). We are literally ‘two kinds’ of people – to me, the sense of belonging becomes a burden.”

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/this-was-precisely-the-moment-where-my-hong-konger-identity-took-shape-unyielding-yet-flexible-like-water

“When we pay the price for something which has no value, it is effectively a forced or even wasteful act, and definitely does not constitute the kind of sacrifice mentioned by the women at the airport. Who hasn’t heard the verdict that boycotting at school is just a waste of time and will simply let down your parents? But if they believe they are fighting for something valuable, then they are not sacrificing anything, but rather it is a means to strive for what they want.”

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/sometimes-the-best-way-to-understand-something-is-not-through-our-eyes-a-day-with-grandma-at-the-airport

“ In the end, the only “weapon” a protestor truly has is their voice. They have tried chanting slogans, using both gentle and aggressive languages to point out the faults of those standing in front of them, while simultaneously expressing their dissatisfaction. However, [the police force] is equipped with various weapons and protective equipment, while using all sorts of methods to oppress the protestors.” — KEN KONG

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/ken-kong-rally-cry-summer-of-2019

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/the-chinese-taxi-driver-who-dares-to-speak-up

NOT BORN TO BE VALIANT

NAME: ANONYMOUS

GENDER: FEMALE

AGE: 25 - 30 Y/O

AN EMPLOYED LOST BOOKWORM

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/not-born-to-be-valiant

19-YEAR-OLD PART-TIME WAITRESS WHO’S STUDYING IN ENGLAND NEXT YEAR

“If we don’t win... I don’t think we can win. But I just feel like we should do something, even though there’s a slim chance. At least we’re trying. Maybe sometimes, trying isn’t good enough.” — CHLOE

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/2019/9/1/theres-so-little-time-left-english

“You secondary school kids hurry up and choose what you want to eat. Save your money up to buy your gear (protesting gear), let us treat you to this meal.” - Kind Man

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/a-protester-every-time-we-dream-our-dream-we-have-strangers-helping-us-in-one-way-or-another-english

“It has never been people protesting that causes chaos within a country. Rather, it is the chaos of the country that causes people to protest.” - Yan

https://www.wearehkers.com/main-english/yan-freedom-and-democracy-has-always-been-something-that-needs-to-be-fought-for