Mothers gather in show of solidarity with Hong Kong’s young protesters, pleading their lives must be treasured
- Estimated 8,000 mums attend rally in Chater Garden in Central, hoping youth will control their emotions and calling on government to listen
- Human lives and glass panels should never be compared, speaker at start of rally says
Hundreds of mothers gathered for a second time in three weeks at Chater Garden in Central on Friday night in a show of solidarity with young protesters opposing the extradition bill.
They expressed fears for the safety of their children following the storming of the city’s legislature by mostly young protesters on Monday, stressing that their lives must be treasured.
They expressed hope that youngsters would control their emotions but also urged the government to stop being “arrogant” and listen to their demands.
“Human lives and glass panels should never be compared,” said Linda Wong, who has an eight-year-old son, at the start of the rally.
“[Chief Executive] Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor ignored us when we protested peacefully by marching and rallying, and when our young people risked their lives. But she rushed to condemn them when a few glass panels were broken.”
The organiser estimated about 8,000 people took part in Friday’s two-hour rally, about a third more than the one held on June 14. Police put the figure at 1,300.