Hongkongers march on US consulate to call for human rights help
- Thousands of protesters march to US consulate in the city, calling on Washington officials to back Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
- The legislation, if passed, would require the government there to keep a close eye on the city’s level of autonomy
Hong Kong’s railway operator shut down a key station in the city’s business district on Sunday, citing an emergency situation as riot police made several arrests inside the concourse.
Nearby thousands of protesters are marching to the United States consulate in Hong Kong, calling on Washington to pass an act in support of their city’s democratic development and human rights.
Various groups on Sunday headed to Chater Garden in Central, some holding American flags, before marching to the US consulate at noon.
“We are here to urge the US government to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,” a 22-year-old graduate from Polytechnic University, who declined to be named, said.
“We are not selling out Hong Kong but defending the Basic Law, which promises us democracy and human rights.”
On the periphery of Chater Garden, away from the main gathering, half a dozen protesters were gearing up and practising waving two American flags and one revolutionary “Don’t tread on me” flag. Among them was Kevin, 30, who said he wasn’t satisfied with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s decision to withdraw the extradition bill that sparked the recent months of unrest, lamenting that city residents still could not pick their leader in an open general election.
He was hopeful American officials would see the march and support the bill.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act would require the US government to assess Hong Kong’s level of political autonomy each year to determine whether it should continue to have a special trade status under the US-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992.
If passed, it could influence Beijing’s strategy on Hong Kong, because losing the special status would affect investment in mainland China as well as in the city.
“With the bill, we have the opportunity for Americans to put more pressure on the current government, to protect our rights,” Kevin said.
“We trust the [President Donald] Trump government will work with the bill as intended, and I’m sure that they are watching today.”
Hundreds of middle-aged people had also gathered in Chater Garden for a prayer session.
“We have pickets, first-aiders and other volunteers, but none of us is the leader. We just reacted to a call on a Telegram platform a few days ago,” a participant, who refused to give his name, said.
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Another participant, who was overseeing first aid, said both the gatherings had permission to be there.
“The rally will finish at 5.30pm, but the prayer session can continue until 10pm tonight,” the 20-year-old first-aider, who also requested anonymity, said.