.

Decades of political discord between Hong Kong and mainland China about the process by which the Chief Executive of Hong Kong is elected has culminated in what is now China's largest civil disobedience demonstration since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Hundreds of thousands of protesters have flooded the streets of Central district, Hong Kong as part of Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement towards democracy, demanding that current Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying step down.

Citizens of Hong Kong who, under the "One Country, Two Systems" structure of China, are afforded greater political freedoms than those on the mainland, who are ruled by the dominant Communist Party. Under this arrangement, Hong Kong is allowed a democratic process to select its Chief Executive; however, the Communist Party nominates the candidates. This is viewed as an encroachment of the Communist Party in the relatively free Hong Kong and a violation of the democratic process.

Citizens completely fill the streets of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the largest financial hubs of the world. Banks and business firms, as well as schools and some transportation, have closed due to the magnitude of the protest.

A makeshift funeral mourning the political career of CY Leung. The resignation of CY Leung is considered the first step towards a more democratic and independent Hong Kong.

a. Police officers stand in two or three lines, miniscule next to the waves of determined protesters. On September 9th, CY Leung made a personal appeal to protesters asking to withdraw "so that the public's daily lives will not be affected" and for Occupy Central leaders to "consider the interests of society as a whole".

A poster illustrating a blindfolded policeman against the backdrop of regular citizens, asking "Are you blind?" In this movement, police officers represent the status quo as the maintenance workers of the Communist Party's political oppression, rather than enforcement and protection for Hong Kong citizens. Protesters question if the police are aware of their role in the movement and if they are doing what they believe is right.

Yellow ribbons representing democracy decorate the sidewalks of Hong Kong. Yellow Ribbon movements have emerged all over the world as global support for Hong Kong's struggle continues.

Police officers pepper spray protesters to "maintain social order". The unnecessary and excessive use of pepper spray, especially among college students, is expected to cause tensions between Hong Kong and the mainland for generations.

A large crowd is bombed with tear gas to deter protesters from continuing. The Occupy Central movement has also been adopted as the Umbrella Revolution, as protesters defend themselves with umbrellas against pepper spray and tear gas.

Unarmed protesters raise their hands up against police officers in a similar gesture to Ferguson's "Hands up, don't shoot", which has since been symbolic of police brutality against unarmed civilians.

Protesters cover themselves in saran wrap and eye goggles to protect themselves from pepper spray. Despite the cruel methods used by police officers, protesters choose to defend themselves rather than to arm themselves.

The Occupy Central movement has been ongoing for several days. Rather than return to their homes, protesters sleep in the streets to demonstrate their resolve for democracy.

To facilitate the movement, large supplies of food and medical and sanitation services are delivered to the protesters.

The Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement is a remarkable demonstration for democracy and fairness. Despite the cruel treatment by police officers, protesters are determined to not reciprocate with violence. Protesters even clean up the trash they have left on the streets. For the sheer size of the movement, it is one of the most peaceful on the part of protesters.

The Occupy Central movement comes about 25 years after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests for democracy, which ended with a military assault on unarmed civilians and thousands of casualties. With increasing global support for Hong Kong, the Communist Party would lose face if it were to handle this movement with the same approach. In addition, the Communist Party cannot control media as easily now as it was able to then if it were to suppress the movement with military force. However, the Communist Party continues to be unrelenting towards Hong Kong. If the Communist Party wants to maintain its control, it has fewer options now than it did in 1989, and the pro-democracy protesters are taking full advantage.

Photo: johnlsl (cc).

About
Leonymae Aumentado
:
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.

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Occupy Central with Love and Peace: The Umbrella Revolution in Photos

BY

Leonymae Aumentado

.

October 8, 2014

Decades of political discord between Hong Kong and mainland China about the process by which the Chief Executive of Hong Kong is elected has culminated in what is now China's largest civil disobedience demonstration since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Hundreds of thousands of protesters have flooded the streets of Central district, Hong Kong as part of Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement towards democracy, demanding that current Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying step down.

Citizens of Hong Kong who, under the "One Country, Two Systems" structure of China, are afforded greater political freedoms than those on the mainland, who are ruled by the dominant Communist Party. Under this arrangement, Hong Kong is allowed a democratic process to select its Chief Executive; however, the Communist Party nominates the candidates. This is viewed as an encroachment of the Communist Party in the relatively free Hong Kong and a violation of the democratic process.

Citizens completely fill the streets of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the largest financial hubs of the world. Banks and business firms, as well as schools and some transportation, have closed due to the magnitude of the protest.

A makeshift funeral mourning the political career of CY Leung. The resignation of CY Leung is considered the first step towards a more democratic and independent Hong Kong.

a. Police officers stand in two or three lines, miniscule next to the waves of determined protesters. On September 9th, CY Leung made a personal appeal to protesters asking to withdraw "so that the public's daily lives will not be affected" and for Occupy Central leaders to "consider the interests of society as a whole".

A poster illustrating a blindfolded policeman against the backdrop of regular citizens, asking "Are you blind?" In this movement, police officers represent the status quo as the maintenance workers of the Communist Party's political oppression, rather than enforcement and protection for Hong Kong citizens. Protesters question if the police are aware of their role in the movement and if they are doing what they believe is right.

Yellow ribbons representing democracy decorate the sidewalks of Hong Kong. Yellow Ribbon movements have emerged all over the world as global support for Hong Kong's struggle continues.

Police officers pepper spray protesters to "maintain social order". The unnecessary and excessive use of pepper spray, especially among college students, is expected to cause tensions between Hong Kong and the mainland for generations.

A large crowd is bombed with tear gas to deter protesters from continuing. The Occupy Central movement has also been adopted as the Umbrella Revolution, as protesters defend themselves with umbrellas against pepper spray and tear gas.

Unarmed protesters raise their hands up against police officers in a similar gesture to Ferguson's "Hands up, don't shoot", which has since been symbolic of police brutality against unarmed civilians.

Protesters cover themselves in saran wrap and eye goggles to protect themselves from pepper spray. Despite the cruel methods used by police officers, protesters choose to defend themselves rather than to arm themselves.

The Occupy Central movement has been ongoing for several days. Rather than return to their homes, protesters sleep in the streets to demonstrate their resolve for democracy.

To facilitate the movement, large supplies of food and medical and sanitation services are delivered to the protesters.

The Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement is a remarkable demonstration for democracy and fairness. Despite the cruel treatment by police officers, protesters are determined to not reciprocate with violence. Protesters even clean up the trash they have left on the streets. For the sheer size of the movement, it is one of the most peaceful on the part of protesters.

The Occupy Central movement comes about 25 years after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests for democracy, which ended with a military assault on unarmed civilians and thousands of casualties. With increasing global support for Hong Kong, the Communist Party would lose face if it were to handle this movement with the same approach. In addition, the Communist Party cannot control media as easily now as it was able to then if it were to suppress the movement with military force. However, the Communist Party continues to be unrelenting towards Hong Kong. If the Communist Party wants to maintain its control, it has fewer options now than it did in 1989, and the pro-democracy protesters are taking full advantage.

Photo: johnlsl (cc).

About
Leonymae Aumentado
:
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.