George Floyd protests: the twisted logic behind Hong Kong protesters’ support for Trump

Some in Hong Kong have rallied around Donald Trump, whose call for military action against protesters in the US sparked outrage
But if they want an independent investigation into Hong Kong police actions, protesters should really be showing solidarity with the US public

Albert Cheng

Published: 9:30am, 12 Jun 2020

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In the United States, the death of George Floyd has sparked nationwide protests. Peaceful demonstrators have taken to the streets, fighting against police brutality and racism. The Covid-19 pandemic and widening wealth gap have awakened the US to a severe class struggle. Protests have broken out in at least 140 cities, and some people have been looting.

America is clearly facing one of its biggest post-war sociopolitical crises, and this will have a huge impact on the upcoming presidential election.

With regard to police brutality, the US authorities have handled the death of Floyd in a proper manner. The white police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck was immediately fired, then charged with third-degree murder. After an autopsy report confirmed the cause of Floyd’s death, the former officer is now being charged with second-degree murder.

Three other officers involved in the episode have also been charged and have had their bail set at US$750,000, which leaves them no choice but to stay in custody.

On the streets, some police officers have taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. However, the anger of the American people has yet to subside.

Racism is a deep-seated problem in the US. Police brutality against black people is an everyday occurrence. The protests escalated when President Donald Trump threatened to mobilise the military to restore law and order. However, the defence secretary refused to comply; otherwise, the consequences could have been catastrophic.

Not only has Floyd’s death caused uproar in America, there have been protests against police brutality and racism all over the world, including in Australia, Japan, Britain, Germany and Canada. However, the response in Hong Kong has been muted. Only last weekend did the League of Social Democrats finally organise and march to the US Consulate in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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Black Lives Matter protests sweep the globe after police killing of George Floyd in US

Comparing police use of force in the US and Hong Kong, the fundamental difference is that US police violence is due to racism, while Hong Kong police are being used to suppress the opposition.

It has been a year since the anti-government protests began in Hong Kong, and you would expect Hongkongers to be able to empathise with the protesters and victims of police violence in the US. Instead, some have increasingly aligned themselves with Trump, even after his suggestion to deploy the military. Their twisted logic is that they have to support Trump, so he will stand with Hong Kong and punish Chinese officials.

How hard can Trump hit Hong Kong? Not very

As much as these protesters oppose the Communist Party, their rationale ironically echoes that of Chairman Mao Zedong, who said: “Who are our enemies? Who are our friends? This is a question of the first importance for the revolution.” However, those who blindly side with their enemy’s enemy will only lose international support in the end.

Meanwhile, the pro-police camp in Hong Kong is having a field day with police brutality in the US. Pro-government supporters are pointing out the hypocrisy and double standards of the US government. However, they have overlooked the fact that the right to peaceful protest is highly respected. Law enforcement personnel who violate the law while performing their duties will be prosecuted.

Leaving aside the protesters, the pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong has also been largely silent on police brutality in the US. But how can pro-democrats ask for international support in the struggle against Beijing, yet turn a blind eye to the injustice in America? They should remember that what goes around, comes around.

The city council of Minneapolis is seeking to disband its police force. New York and many other cities and states are planning to reduce police funding and reform police departments. In Hong Kong, the protesters have made similar demands , but the government has ignored them.

Now that city and state governments in the US are acting to end police brutality, Hongkongers should be showing solidarity with Americans. Only then can they hope to bring international pressure to bear on the Hong Kong government, and have an independent committee set up to investigate police use of force.

Hong Kong has a long way to go to usher in democracy. Political opportunism might win a round of applause but, ultimately, only by firmly upholding our values and beliefs will we carry the day.

Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator

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