A decade ago, Hong Kong’s Central district was filled with protesters during the Occupy Central, or Umbrella protests, against Chinese government plans to limit democratic voting rights. Young people were galvanized, but today Hong Kong is quiet as protest has been largely criminalized and many leaders have been silenced.
Wendy, who participated in Occupy, reflects on the broken promises of universal suffrage in Hong Kong. The movement started on 28 September, when police fired teargas at peaceful protesters. The protests evolved into a massive self-sustained tent city in Admiralty, Mong Kok, and Causeway Bay.
However, as Occupy continued, divisions deepened among protesters, and the government remained unmoved. It ended after 79 days without achieving its goals, but left a sense of hope for the future.
The protests had a lasting impact, with new political parties and activist groups emerging. In 2019, millions took to the streets in pro-democracy protests, using tactics refined during Occupy. Beijing’s crackdown in response shocked observers.
Looking back, individuals like Wendy and Tony recognize the importance of the legacy left by the Occupy protests, strengthening Hongkongers’ aspirations for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. While the political reality in Hong Kong today is different from 2014, the fight for these values continues among the diaspora and those still in Hong Kong.
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