LettersHong Kong protests: if students want the truth on police action, so must the keepers of the law

It is disheartening to see our city losing its uniqueness and its cornerstone values being eroded by the day. The Hong Kong government insists on avoiding the political demands of the general public, resorting simply to condescending and repressive means to restore law and order. Many sectors across society have condemned police brutality during the protests, and the government’s stance is only creating more defiance and revolt.

The anti-mask law, introduced by bypassing the Legislative Council and going against mainstream public opinion, was an unwise move, simply arousing more public opposition and further infringing on the freedoms of expression and assembly. The police can now exercise its seemingly arbitrary power to arrest even peaceful and legitimate protesters.

The Education Bureau requires all schools  to report whether secondary students are wearing masks to class and asked kindergartens to remind students not to wear masks. Officers are even entering university campuses to investigate students without any permission.

Universities must offer an independent and a free environment for students to seek knowledge and truth. In these difficult times, they should do their best to defend long-standing values and principles. They should help students cultivate critical thinking and a liberal mindset through reflection on and verification of all information, never accepting anything at face value.