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Letters | Why it’s wrong to blame Hong Kong police for protest crisis boiling over
- To blame the police force is to a make a scapegoat of those in no position to alleviate popular grievances
- Officers are taking the fall for those hiding from their responsibilities in air-conditioned rooms
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The current crisis in Hong Kong has been exacerbated by distrust towards mainland China. The Hong Kong government is too incompetent to deal with the issue and its underlying causes. But to be fair, expensive housing, declining prospects for the young and deteriorating public services are not unique to Hong Kong, and the reaction to these conditions has been hijacked by relatively small, violent groups.
To blame the consequences on the police force is a lazy and fraudulent attempt to make a scapegoat of those in no position to alleviate popular grievances and who are struggling to manage the consequences of the government’s failures (“Police anger at boiling point over backing for Hong Kong protesters”, July 17).
The government presently is incapable of reaching out to anyone other than a hard core of supporters. Instead, it should be seeking the help of social, religious, community and business leaders to break the cycle of protest and start a community dialogue about the present and future path of Hong Kong.
David Hall, Mid-Levels
Officers just doing their jobs like the rest of us
I am writing in response to your editorial “Hong Kong police caught between a rock and hard place” (July 18). Ever since it was announced, the extradition bill has taken a toll on everyone, no matter which side they are on. Police are even being put into a situation where they have to pick sides and end up fighting young protesters. It’s time the police opened their eyes, looked into their actions and understood what they’re truly up against.
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