Hong Kong police supporters visit local stations to offer thanks to officers amid escalating anti-government pressure
- More than 300 people gather at Central Police Station in Sheung Wan to show solidarity
- And more than 245 Fujian association members rally in North Point, calling for support for government and police
Hundreds of police supporters stepped up their campaign to boost officers’ morale on Saturday by expressing their thanks in person – just days after Beijing reiterated its confidence in the force amid escalating anti-government pressure.
Members of the Safeguard Hong Kong Alliance, which organised the campaign, and pro-police supporters visited police stations in Central, Kwun Tong and Kwai Chung to show their solidarity with the embattled officers. Police stations have become regular targets for protesters.
The alliance’s campaign and other pro-police efforts have been underscored by an open letter on the front pages of local newspapers calling for an end to the chaos in the city from various political and business heavyweights such as Tam Yiu-chung, Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai and Victor Li Tzar-kuoi. There has also been an uptick in anti-police sentiment with allegations mounting over the use of excessive force against protesters.
On Saturday, around 300 people gathered at Central Police Station in Sheung Wan to show their support. The night before, however, protesters had surrounded the Wong Tai Sin Disciplined Services Quarters in Kowloon.
We came to support the police because they work very hard
The police supporters held banners and chanted slogans – such as “Police, add oil” – while two young girls presented officers with cards they had drawn.
“We came to support the police because they work very hard,” said seven-year-old Janice Tsui, who was with her five-year-old sister, Ella.
The girls’ mother, Irene Tsui, 33, said her daughters were scared by the recent violence shown on television news.
“We live in Yuen Long, so the tension is really extreme. Whenever the news comes on, the kids ask to switch channels to watch cartoons,” she said.
The police greeted the supporters and took photos with them. One officer told Janice and Ella that their drawings were“very beautiful”.
The Y. Elites Association – comprised of young Hong Kong professionals – brought tokens of appreciation such as boxes of biscuits.
Such heart-warming scenes of support for police have been rare since protests broke out in June against a now-suspended government extradition bill. The demonstrations frequently ended with violent clashes between police and protesters.
Zhang Xiaoming, the top Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, and Chief Executive Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor have committed their full support to the city’s police. Zhang said that backing the police was essential to restoring order.
Also on Saturday, more than 245 members of the Hong Kong Fujian Association rallied at the Victoria Centre in North Point, calling for support for the government and the police. Many of the participants were dressed in orange and white vests, while some held anti-protest banners and chanted slogans about protecting Hong Kong from violence.
Dozens of Fujian community leaders took the stage to support the government and warned against using violence to fight against violence. But they stressed they would also use “self-defence within the legal framework”.
Politihk Social Strategic, a pro-establishment political organisation, on Saturday show pictures on Facebook of mainland police officers sending supportive messages to their Hong Kong counterparts.
At Kwun Tong Police Station, which was attacked by protesters on August 5, about 50 people showed up to join a pro-police rally on Saturday.
A shop worker, who identified himself as Ah Keung, said he believed law and order should be restored to the city after weeks of unrest.
“I supported the protesters at first. I don't mind if 1 million or even 2 million of them take to the streets. But as a worker myself, blocking the MTR will hurt my livelihood,” he said.
Supporters brought flowers to police officers at Kwai Chung Police Station on Saturday.
Lily Zhu, 42, who moved to Hong Kong from Shenzhen in 2011, said she was heartbroken every time she watched the news.
“Hong Kong is safe because of the police. I’m shocked that this has happened. The police shouldn’t have to suffer through this,” she said.
Zhu said her eight-year-old daughter, Annie, had always wanted to be a police officer.
“But now she’s too scared to say it out loud,” she said.
Xinhua, the state-run news agency, reported on Friday that some 50 Hongkongers sent their support to police headquarters in Wan Chai. One woman was quoted by Xinhua as saying that about 200 residents donated boxes of items worth about HK$15,000 (US$1,912) to support the police.
