Hong Kong Riots — activities of so called citizens
Though it has been a few days since the incident, it’s still been weighing quite heavily on me. At least in my memory, I’ve never seen a gun drawn by police in Hong Kong before and for me, like many I’m sure, it was an uncomfortable sight. Perhaps a very obvious symbol of what kind of situation we are in.
However, even though firing the warning shots was illegal, I sympathise with the police. Being chased down by a mob hurling bottles, bricks, barriers and pallet boards at them whose confidence I’m sure stems from the knowledge that the police will not use deadly force would definitely encourage a drastic decision (well…drastic for Hong Kong standards I suppose). I think you’d be hard pressed to find another city where people can tear up streets and set fire to cars, tackle an officer, run away and then call foul when being arrested or pepper sprayed. Did the police come out in full force because of a bunch of fishball hawkers, or was it because the so called citizens of Hong Kong were destroying their own streets?
It was just an utterly appalling and disgusting display of behaviour.
I also didn’t see too many fishball related messages from rioters (no I wouldn’t call them protesters). They must have left those at home in their rush to come out and train their throwing arms. I’m sure the hawkers are thankful that everyone used them as an excuse to destroy their city.
Make sure you know why you’re doing something. If you were looking for a way to look like uncontrolled animals, well done. Apart from that, not sure whats been achieved so far. Yes Hong Kong people have shown before that they are willing to stand up for something that is important in civil and unified ways but the message is not coming through with the recent activities.
Hong Kong is so much better than this.
I’m not saying that some police officers were not in the wrong and yes some innocent people were caught in the crossfire. I’m saying that you’re fighting the wrong fight, against the wrong people, in the wrong way (though the right way may not be as clear or easy).