100 days in: How Hong Kongers sustain protests with creativity Hong Kong, Sept 16 (AFP) Sep 16, 2019 With Hong Kong shaken by 100 days of huge pro-democracy protests, activists have adopted a host of creative ways to fuel their movement away from the barricades. From laser pen light shows, to flashmob singalongs and human chains, we look at some of the inventive methods embraced by a movement that shows no signs of abating.
The tune that received the most traction early on in this summer's protests was the catchy Christian hymn "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord" as well as "Do you hear the people sing?" from the musical "Les Miserables". But in the last fortnight a new anthem has been embraced with gusto. "Glory to Hong Kong" was written by an anonymous composer and has gone viral, its defiant lyrics repeatedly belted out at protests, nightly flashmob concerts in city malls and even football matches.
But they were adopted en masse after a student leader with 10 laser pens in his bag was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. Since then demonstrators have held "lightshows" outside of police stations and at most public gatherings, lending the protests a somewhat surreal disco-vibe once the sun sets.
The symbol caught on. Tens of thousands have taken part in human chains across the city in recent weeks, some formed on top of famous hills such as the Peak and Lion Rock. Secondary school students have also formed them each morning before classes.
Two campaigns raised over HK$21 million ($2.7 million) to place adverts in major international newspapers. "By placing ads internationally, we can break through the filter of the media and show the world the truth underneath the government propaganda," a campaign co-organiser, who gave his name as Taylor, told AFP. Other campaigns have raised money to build a four-metre-tall statue called "Lady Liberty Hong Kong" and to provide defence funds for the some 1,400 people arrested.
The first Hong Kong wall appeared during huge pro-democracy protests in 2014 and was a local take on a public graffiti wall in Prague that appeared after the 1980 murder of John Lennon. When crowds of government supporters tore down a Lennon Wall outside the city's parliament early on in this summer's protests, democracy activists simply created new ones in their local neighbourhoods. Walls are still being torn down by opponents but they reappear within hours.
In a city renowned for the highest concentration of skyscrapers in the world, the chanting is particularly effective, with popular slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution now" and "No rioters, only tyranny" bouncing off buildings and echoing through neighbourhoods.
Much of the art is distributed in a highly modern fashion -- shared on online forums or pinged to people's phones using Bluetooth and Airdrop. It is not unusual for someone's phone to receive multiple digital flyers and posters each day, especially on the subway. Soon the same artworks are printed and placed on the city's Lennon Walls, which have become a constantly evolving canvas of dissent.
But by far the most common flag is the "wilted bauhinia" -- a twist on Hong Kong's official flag, a white bauhinia flower on a red backdrop. The new flag has turned the backdrop black, to reflect the mood of the streets, and the bauhinia flower is wilted and blood-stained. Australian-based Chinese dissident artist Badiucao, who draws daily cartoons for the protest movement, has also created a flag of rainbow-coloured squares, meant to symbolise the Lennon Walls. Another popular emblem directed at Beijing is dubbed "Chinazi" -- a red flag with yellow stars in the shape of a swastika.
The slogan references a philosophy of unpredictability espoused by local kung fu legend Bruce Lee and encourages protesters to keep mobile in a bid to stretch police resources and avoid mass arrests. Protesters have also found creative ways to hold rallies that are banned, portraying them instead as opportunities to go window shopping, hold picnics or gather for religious meetings. |
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