Kelvin | Frontliner on why he is willing to sacrifice - “If I succumb to fear, Hong Kong will fall apart.”

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.

PoliticsWe Are HKers19 November 2019frontliner, frontline, kelvin, tea leaf, tendarken, handsome fat jai, kc, valiants, fear, protest, Protests, protester, protests, 831, PRN, courage, youngstersComment

Chan Jai | A participant in the movement who never stepped up to the front line - "One might even say I lack the courage to make a difference."

Since I became aware of social movements, I have only been a participant, and have never stepped up to the frontline of the movement, because I am afraid of trouble and easily discouraged. One might even say I lack the courage to make a difference. My newly acquainted ‘schoolmates’ changed me. They are really helpful and truly tireless, and taught me how to be free from fear via action, letting me know that breakthroughs lie only in persistence.

Ted | Evolution of a protestor: resistance as an ‘occupation’ - "We must turn our grief into action."

Regardless of my position as a PRE, part of a road-blocking team, or as a driver shuttling protestors around, I truly believe that each role has its own impact… You can never foresee how your actions today will spur the actions of other people in the future… We must turn our grief into action, so that we can bring about changes for Hong Kong, for our next generations, and for the sake of democracy and freedom.

PoliticsWe Are HKers12 November 2019Ted, occupation, protest, protester, PRN, frontliner, driver, grief, action, public relations, PR, youngsters, overseas Comment

Emma | Student nurse volunteering as first-aider - "I don’t want to regret not contributing more when protestors have already sacrificed so much."

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.

Career, PoliticsWe Are HKers9 November 2019emma, nurse, first, aider, firstaid, student, professional, medical, protests, protester, frontline, tendarkenComment

Meifei | 'School bus' driver - "It was fate that led to us providing free rides and helping student protestors get home."

As for the ideal Hong Kong, I think it would be similar to how it was pre-1997, when there was the Independent Commission Against Corruption and a fair legal system, when the civil service system was sound and citizens had housing... Twenty years after the handover, we are shocked to discover how much we have lost. The prosperity has faded and the glory days of this resplendent metropolis are over.

Career, PoliticsWe Are HKers6 November 2019perspectives, kc, school bus, driver, free rides, student, Dunkirk evacuation, umbrella movement, protester, ProtestsComment

Amy - 'People just look at the surface. They only see the chaos, but they don’t ask why there is chaos.'

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.

Personal, PoliticsWe Are HKers28 October 2019ka yan, amy, tendarken, chaos, surface, protests, protester, time, act, lennon, wallComment

"Sometimes the best way to understand something is not through our eyes" - a day with Grandma at the airport

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.

Family, PoliticsWe Are HKers8 October 2019orange peel, sl, handsome fat jai, protests, protester, grandma, elders, airportComment

Ken Kong - Rally Cry Summer of 2019

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.

PoliticsWe Are HKers29 September 2019protester, protests, frontliner, government, police, orange peel, donComment

Not Born To Be Valiant

Actually, I really want to live in peace. I just want to go on regular dates on the weekends. I just want to enjoy movies, to go shopping, to go back to school as usual. There are lots of things I want to do, but I also understand that I might have to face at least ten years in jail if I’m arrested. However, I will keep standing up (for the movement), because, precisely if you don’t speak out and resist, the ‘bullies’ will only become more powerful and eventually ‘devour’ you.

PoliticsWe Are HKers22 September 2019protests, protester, vanessa.designComment

A Protester - "Every time we dream our dream, we have strangers helping us in one way or another."

“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.”

PoliticsWe Are HKers29 July 2019protests, love, protester, yellow shy guyComment