The Umbrella Revolution and why I love Hong Kong

Since my student days, I have had strong political views but have never been one to attend a political demonstration of any magnitude. Against the advice of my friends, I decided yesterday to attend the students' pro-democracy rally in Central in front of the government bunker, two days after  a vicious clampdown involving riot police and tear-gas. My friends were concerned about the possibility of violence erupting, and the out of control crowds and mobs.

With some trepidation, I went on Friday straight from work. The MTR station was extremely busy but operating normally.  Many youths were congregating in the foyer waiting for friends before they proceeded to the rally. What I found stunned me. I was able to move freely from the station exit, proceeding cautiously, I crossed the road taking the pedestrian bridge to the government office complex. The sea of people, and umbrellas, stretched as far as the eye can see in both directions. The attendees' average age is below 30, but among the crowds were also old folk, and it a small number of non-Chinese who were all wearing the yellow ribbons. These ribbons were only readily available at certain locations on site, but one volunteer gave up his upon my request for one. The crowd periodically sang songs, chanted slogans like "Give me real universal suffrage" and called for the resignation of "689" – referring to the number of small-circle votes CY Leung received at his "election".

The crowd was prepared, and the students even issue advice and checklists for attendees. Water bottles, goggles and umbrellas are now considered "essential" equipment. Bottled water, biscuits, towels and umbrellas are readily available at no charge. In fact, it was all free. Manned stations were available to administer first aid. To the extent that umbrellas offered some protection against the elements and from tear gas, the movement has been dubbed the "Umbrella Revolution" by the world media. There was an isolated thunderstorm while I was there. When the skies opened (fortunately not tear gas), the sea of people morphed into sea of umbrellas.

Stewarding with makeshift signage

The organisation and behaviour of these youths is extremely impressive, and has been noted and praised by the NYT, the BBC, CNN amongst others. They communicate using social media, and my facebook homepage is in overdrive with the up to the second updates from the field. Others communicate through whatsapp on a more individual level. It doesn't feel like a street demonstration, but more like a party conference. Gazebos have been erected as logistic and first aid stations. There is a larger supply station somewhere off-site. The young people who are more involved in the organisational aspects have different roles: that of stewards, distributors of water, biscuits and other essential supplies to those attending. They remind each others and visitors/supporters not to leave their rubbish lying around. Volunteers pick up rubbish, even to the extent of sorting for recycling, have organised refuse pickups. Even more impressively, this is an instance where they were spotted removing graffiti.

These revelations are not unique to me but have also been widely reported. It is also now widely reported that students attending the rally have managed to create their own routines. Secondary school students going to school will arrive after classes. They do their homework on site and rally until the small hours. They go home in the morning to freshen up, and attend school like any ordinary day. Tertiary students seem more active in the organisational aspects. Morning times are usually when they get to rest, in shifts.

All calm in "Civic Square"

Last night, Civic Square – the one in front of the main entrance to the government offices which students tried to reclaim for the people – was all calm. There were about twenty police officers standing at ease. There were other policemen dotted around the place, occasionally chatting with the young people. There was no palpable sign of anger over the events of Sunday, and I saw one sign urging the police to take leave and have a well-earned rest for their hard work over the last few days. Upon leaving the site, the attending steward thanked me for my support. I told him that it was me who should be offering thanks for their efforts.

Predictably, the central government and HK government (to whose power this represents a major threat) have been condemning the demonstrations, citing the negative effects they are having on everyday life for the public, and for business confidence. The HK government is inept anyway, so it matters little, but Beijing expects only the HK government to provide the electoral model/solution going forwards. CY Leung's resignation isn't going to help anyone at this stage. I'd consider the blockades to be a temporary inconvenience in our quest of Hong Kong's aspirations; the benefits are longer term.

Hang "the Wolf"

What I learned from my visit yesterday shows, if anything, the type of civil society that Hong Kong people and the HK government (if they weren't so out of touch with the people) should be very proud of.  I would say to CY Leung, our Chief Executive who is so out of touch, that he ought to stop hiding behind his desk and come out of the bunker. Visit the encampment, look, and learn what the Hong Kong spirit is.

Words of self-encouragement: the student movement has been labelled
the "Umbrella Revolution" by the world's press.

Unlike the bunkered CY Leung, who really hasn't got a clue, these youngsters truly embody the core values of the city. They exemplify the freedom, the caring consciousness, orderly society, respect for others that Hong Kong represents, and which continues to make it one of the most orderly and safest cities in the world. To wit, I would just allow myself a minor digression: I lost my entire wallet three weeks ago in Sham Shui Po (not considered one the the "best" neighbourhoods). It was found and delivered to a police station and was returned to me with all the contents (including $1,300 in cash) intact – that certainly tells you just as much about Hong Kong.

I dearly love the Hong Kong spirit, and cannot be more proud of these youngsters who are standing up for the good of the city they love while people are inundated with propaganda from sycophants and lapdogs, or others pretending the democracy doesn't matter to them or is not in their control.