L. K. Cheah (“ Why did voters support rioting and violence? ”, November 29), despite apparently living in Toronto, seems to be in possession of election statistics that are not readily available in Hong Kong. While the violence has been stupid and sometimes downright evil , it has been committed by a small percentage of the population, perhaps with support from others, whose votes, even had they all voted, would not have been anywhere near enough to result in the overwhelming success of the pro-democracy movement. The vast majority of those who voted were sane, peace-loving, responsible Hongkongers who want change. Most of them have almost certainly never taken part in a demonstration, let alone a violent one. There is certainly a minority of pro-democracy supporters who, sadly, will not tolerate anyone who disagrees with their point of view. That, obviously, is not democracy. But far more worrying are the views of the pro-Beijing and pro-Hong Kong government element, including L.K. Cheah, it would seem, who try to associate the entire pro-democracy movement with the violent minority. Peter Robertson, Sai Kung This can’t wait until 2047, that’s why we are ‘radical’ When millions of us marched peacefully, they chose not to see us. When millions more voted, they chose not to hear us. And when the international community spoke, they were told a silent majority supported them . And yet, when we make them hear us , make them see us , they pit us against each other and hide behind the men and women of our great police force. A movement by and for the people of Hong Kong is branded “radical” and tear gas fills the air. But, if we are deemed radical, let it be because we know this can’t wait until 2047. We will be seen. We will be heard. We will have a say in our future. We are all Hongkongers. “Without general elections, without freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, without the free battle of opinions, life in every public institution withers away, becomes a caricature of itself, and bureaucracy rises as the only deciding factor” – Rosa Luxemburg. Alexander von Kaldenberg, Central
