It’s a bit sad feeling like this level of participation would never happen in the US. I’m not sure what the reason is, but likely a mix of being a highly individualistic society, apathy, distraction.
About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
11–20 of 234 posts
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#12Every article I see about the HK protests makes sure to focus on how non-violent the gathering was. I see many people framing that non-violence as a better way to affect change in their government. I sincerely hope that a non-violent protest gets these people the change they want, but I take real issue in framing violent protests as unnecessary when your historically oppressive government refuses to listen to the wil…
Violent protests in this case directly play into the hands of CCP and gets you PLA with HK Police uniforms on the streets.
Also any change that comes through "gun" rarely turns into ballot friendly. Once armed the erst while "freedom" fighters will start fighting for their clan/class/tribe/interests.
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#13It’s a bit sad feeling like this level of participation would never happen in the US. I’m not sure what the reason is, but likely a mix of being a highly individualistic society, apathy, distraction.
> this level of participation would never happen in the US
It probably would. We just don’t have an issue that imminently and clearly threatens the wellbeing of 2/7ths of the population, and for which a simple solution (e.g. withdrawing a bill) presents itself.
When American cities get pissed off and form a consensus, they certainly turn out.
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#14Every article I see about the HK protests makes sure to focus on how non-violent the gathering was. I see many people framing that non-violence as a better way to affect change in their government. I sincerely hope that a non-violent protest gets these people the change they want, but I take real issue in framing violent protests as unnecessary when your historically oppressive government refuses to listen to the wil…
Violent protests brings out the tanks and people start dying literally in the streets. Unless you are talking about actual revolution, violent protest accomplishes nothing and results in losing the moral high ground which is critical if one is to have international support. Violent protest in Hong Kong would result in Beijing sending in soldiers to suppress the rebellion under the guise of “public safety.” You get ma…
So if Beijing is just going to send military force if they perceive something that will truly threaten change in HK, but they did not send anything, what does that tell you about the probable outcome of these non-violent protests?
I think the protestors are fighting the good fight, but I'm not holding my breath that anything will actually come about because 2 million people stood in the street.
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
The real bottom line here: As long as you can make it back to HK then you are above the law in Macau/mainland China/Taiwan. That should be mentioned more often.
> As long as you can make it back to HK then you are above the law in Macau/mainland China/Taiwan Not sure what’s going on with this account’s posting history. That said, this allegation is false. Taiwan supports the protesters [1]. Taiwan and Hong Kong, both lawful jurisdictions, are free to enter into extradition agreements with each other. This extradition bill was a ham-fisted attempt by Beijing to subjugate Hong…
What I wrote is not an allegation. It is a fact as there is currently no extradition from HK to Macau/mainland China/Taiwan.
The whole bill was brought forward because of a HK resident accused of murdering his girlfriend in Taiwan and who fled back to HK. You can say that this was a pretext to bring the bill forward but it still highlights a real issue.
The Taiwanese government is being cynical here.
It's also difficult to see how this bill would "subjugate" HK if passed.
I do agree that the HK courts would need to be very thorough in considering extradition requests from the mainland and that their independence should be preserved.
> Ironically, in failing, it has shown Xi’s limited power
Or perhaps people are assuming that "one country, two systems" is a sham when it actually isn't.
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#16Is that around 2/7th of the population? What are some alternative systems to make the people have a stronger impact?
2/7th is huge. The Bolsheviks had a tiny, tiny percentage of the population and they took over Russia. Also 2/7 participation doesn’t mean 2/7th support. A lot of people might support the movement but are unwilling for various reasons to take to the streets. 2/7 is historic and huge.
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
The real bottom line here: As long as you can make it back to HK then you are above the law in Macau/mainland China/Taiwan. That should be mentioned more often.
Couldn’t you say the same about any pair of counties without an extradition treaty? If an American flees to Russia, he’s “above the law” in America, for example. What makes HK so special that they must have an extradition treaty with China?
> What makes HK so special that they must have an extradition treaty with China?
Apart from being a Chinese territory?
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#18They've made it. The Chief Executive apologized and the government has suspended the fugitive law amendment. That's really a RARE concession in these years because the Chinese government typically doesn't compromise at all under pressure.
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
Violent protests brings out the tanks and people start dying literally in the streets. Unless you are talking about actual revolution, violent protest accomplishes nothing and results in losing the moral high ground which is critical if one is to have international support. Violent protest in Hong Kong would result in Beijing sending in soldiers to suppress the rebellion under the guise of “public safety.” You get ma…
So if Beijing is just going to send military force if they perceive something that will truly threaten change in HK, but they did not send anything, what does that tell you about the probable outcome of these non-violent protests? I think the protestors are fighting the good fight, but I'm not holding my breath that anything will actually come about because 2 million people stood in the street.
Violent protest that is not “actual revolution” doesn’t bring change. It just leads to fighting in the streets as the parent said.
compare the violent protests that ignited the Syrian civil war (actual revolution) to the violent protests that resulted in no actual revolution (Rodney King riots, yellow vests in France, etc) to consider the difference, I think.
Re: About 2M People Rally in Hong Kong Weekend Protests
#20It’s a bit sad feeling like this level of participation would never happen in the US. I’m not sure what the reason is, but likely a mix of being a highly individualistic society, apathy, distraction.
What do you expect us to rally for? Genderless bathrooms?