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2047 is Now. What is the Future of Hong Kong?
We haven't posted anything for a couple of days on this site. It seemed nothing more could be said about the brutality of Hong Kong's police, but no other news seems worth writing about in comparison.
By now, pretty much everyone that has been paying attention at all knows about the police siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Hundreds of students are trapped there. The police won't let them leave unless they "surrender," which would almost certainly mean being subjected to torture and abuse. Naturally, the students don't want to surrender, for that reason, and also because they believe they are fighting for their home, their freedom, and their rights. They deserve and need the entire free world's support.
In 2047, the "one country, two systems" agreement that was negotiated between the U.K. and the Chinese government at the handover in 1997 officially ends, and Hong Kong becomes completely subject to the arbitrary legal system of mainland China, where there is no rule of law, lawyers are regularly arrested and detained, the rights of citizens are non-existent, and people accused of "crimes" are disappeared into black jails, with no contact with lawyers or family.
But today, it is clear that it is already 2047 in Hong Kong.
In the past couple of days, Hong Kong's highest court ruled that Carrie Lam's ban on face masks is unconstitutional, violating the Basic Law.
Today, the CCP said that Hong Kong's courts cannot rule on the constitutionality of legislation passed by the Hong Kong government. Only the CCP can. Read this important thread: https://twitter.com/stuartlauscmp/status/1196565359026999296
#Breaking China's legislature: Hong Kong courts have no power to rule on constitutionality of the city's legislation with regards to Basic Law, after HK High Court nullified face mask ban. A major contradiction of common-law judicial review in HK @zuibrahim @hkchrislau @alvinllum pic.twitter.com/1bX7EpY1eS
— Stuart Lau (@stuartlauscmp) November 18, 2019
[China's] constitution and the Basic Law jointly form the constitutional foundation of [HK]. Whether HK's legislation is consistent with the HK Basic Law can only judged and decided by the National People's Congress standing committee. No other parties can judge or decide."
CCP National People's Congress overrules Hong Kong's High Court
If Hong Kong's courts cannot decide what Kong Kong's laws mean and whether or not they are in accordance with Hong Kong's constitution (the Basic Law), then there is no reason for them to exist. There is no longer any rule of law in Hong Kong.
There is also now evidence that authorities are transporting arrested pro-democracy demonstrators out of Hong Kong. Carrie Lam may have withdrawn the extradition bill that started the demonstrations, but everyone knows that the CCP will do whatever it wants, regardless of what any law says.
HONG KONG POLICE ARRESTED PROTESTERS and CITIZENS.
They were TAKEN on the train and NO ONE KNOWS where will they go!
PLEASE SAVE THIS VIDEO AND REPOST TO OTHERS SOCIAL MEDIA!
OUR KIDS CANT BE DISAPPEARED!#SOSPolyU #SOSHK #HongKongProtesters pic.twitter.com/Prw9jQwDRF
— 🌸 (@jwwaholic) November 18, 2019
If this is actually happening now in Hong Kong, it's a scene that reminds us of the worst atrocities visited on people in all of human history. It is terrifying. Given what we know is happening in Xinjiang to the Uyghurs, it is certainly possible that these young people will disappear into China's gulag, where they will have no rights at all. Pray that they will be released soon, unharmed.
It is already 2047 in Hong Kong.
The Definition of Insanity…
… is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result*.
Are Carrie Lam, the Hong Kong government, and the Hong Kong police insane?
They seem to be doing the same things again and again: oppressing the people of Hong Kong more and more ruthlessly, banning face masks, beating and abusing the demonstrators, firing more tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets, even raping and shooting demonstrators with lethal weapons. None of that has worked, and yet they continue to expect a different result. It won't happen. The demonstrators continue their resistance. Public support for the demonstrations has continued, even increased, while at this point, the vast majority of the Hong Kong people loathe Carrie Lam and the police.
So, are Carrie Lam, the Hong Kong government, and the Hong Kong police actually insane? Probably not in the clinical sense; although, some of the members of the Hong Kong police definitely seem to have lost control of themselves and may truly be suffering from mental illness.
Shocking video circulating online shows Hong Kong Police arresting, then brutally treating a very normal looking middle class 'non-protestor' looking woman. A resident in her building lobby. Seriously, HKP?! How long until people arm themselves against this BS?#HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/hSyHBm9wN5
— Alex Hofford (@alexhofford) November 12, 2019
Carrie Lam has backed herself into a corner, probably with the "advice" of the CCP's thugs government bureaucrats. She has said there can be and will be no negotiations, and the demonstrators Five Demands can never be implemented.
What then, is the solution? More of the same? Escalation of violence until dozens, hundreds, even thousands or tens of thousands are killed? Insanity.
Beijing's top office in Hong Kong urges stronger crackdown https://t.co/lWmJNdhONT
— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) November 13, 2019
At this point, there is more-or-less open warfare between the Hong Kong police and the young people of Hong Kong; although, it is by no means only young people that are protesting. In the past couple of days, thousands of office workers have taken to the streets in the Hong Kong central financial district, peacefully protesting, where of course, they were tear gassed by the police.
Carrie Lam spins the protests as the work of radical youths. But the truth is that HK Govt's repressive policies have led to opposition from all segments of society. Amazing scenes from the CBD today, where well-dressed professionals are bravely engaged in collective resistance. pic.twitter.com/zjBf8dYMH8
— Wilson Leung 梁允信 (@WilsonLeungWS) November 12, 2019
The CCP, and by extension the Hong Kong government and police, are utterly bereft of ideas. They seem to understand violence and oppression as the only means of dealing with people. It isn't surprising, given the CCP's history. Mao said, "Every Communist must grasp the truth; 'Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.'" It is what they believe and all they know, to this day. Insanity.
At this point, we have no answers, only prayers for Hong Kong.
* Although often attributed to Albert Einstein, apparently, it was not actually said by him.
More Unbearable Tragedy in Hong Kong
Less than an hour before this post is being written, the Hong Kong police have again shot a young demonstrator. It was captured on live video. It is clear that the demonstrator was completely unarmed. There was no reason whatsoever for the shooting.
WARNING: This live video is extremely disturbing.
This live-streamed video shows what happened. The excessive use of force was unmistakeable against unarmed protesters. Holy shit. pic.twitter.com/IE9R0qw8lY
— Jeffrey Ngo 敖卓軒 😷 (@jeffreychngo) November 10, 2019
At this point, we have not seen any reports on the identity or the condition of the demonstrator, but judging from the photos from the scene, it looks very dire. Reports are that two teenage demonstrators have been shot.
As if anyone needed more evidence that the Hong Kong police are completely out of control, here is video of them just randomly firing teargas at people as they leave an area.
"Shopping with you in Multiple districts on 10Nov"
The riot police fired teargas when retreating, a female journalist was injured by the tear gas canister.#HongKong #StandWithHongKong #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/Nlu9fRzz9C
— Freedom HK (@FreedomHKG) November 10, 2019
As ridiculous as this is, it is nothing compared to shooting teenage demonstrators at near point blank range. All of humanity should be outraged at what is happening in Hong Kong now. It is horrific, unleashed by the totalitarian evil of the Chinese Communist Party. Since its founding, the CCP has murdered more people than any other regime in the history of humanity. They would have you believe that they are different now. They are not. If anything, with their increasingly sophisticated use of technology, they have become more adept at oppression and murder. The CCP is a clear and present danger to all of humanity. It must be deposed.
It is a tragic fact that securing and maintaining freedom for people is costly, in time, in treasure, and in life itself. There are always those that for their own selfish reasons – power, money, misguided ideology, or just an evil heart – want to take away the natural, God-given rights of all human beings. In opposing such people, there are some – always too many – that will be injured or even lose their lives; they are martyrs for the cause of freedom and human rights.
Usually, those that pay the ultimate price, losing their lives in the never-ending struggle for human rights and freedom are members of the military and first responders, but sometimes – always too often – members of the general public become martyrs as well.
In the struggle by the Hong Kong people to protect their rights, many, many have been injured, beaten, tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, even raped and shot by the brutal Hong Kong police. This week a young university student, Alex Chow Tsz-lok , just 22 years old, died after falling from the 3rd level to the 2nd level of a parking garage, in the midst of the police clearance action. The circumstances leading to his death are unclear. Security cameras video that has been released apparently did not capture the exact moment that he fell. Naturally, the police have denied any involvement. Naturally, the demonstrators blame the police, as almost no one in Hong Kong trusts the police any more. Demands for a completely independent investigation into the actions of the police during the demonstrations have intensified. Few believe that the current mechanisms and organizations for investigating police misconduct and brutality that currently exist in Hong Kong are adequate. They have little or no real investigative or prosecutorial power and are part of the police power structure, so they are not independent and are unlikely to return impartial results from any investigation that they do. The people of Hong Kong are demanding, as they have for weeks now, a completely independent and impartial investigation by an agency that has the power to compel testimony and to prosecute police misconduct.
Carrie Lam and #hkpolice often claim the existing investigative mechanism is effective. Now International Expert panel's report is a real slap in the face. The current body doesn't even have access power to police documents. That shows there must be an independent investigation https://t.co/3RvmB36g6T
— Demosistō 香港眾志 😷 (@demosisto) November 9, 2019
Regardless of the cause of Alex Chow Tsz-lok's death, he is a martyr to the cause of human rights and freedom in Hong Kong. The people know that, and are honoring him:
'I want to know the truth': thousands mourn death of Hong Kong student in vigil https://t.co/PhSdfwLHiO @holmeschan_ @creery_j #HongKong #China #antiELABhk #antiELAB #HongKongProtests
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) November 9, 2019
A rally meant to mark 5 months since the start of protests became an emotional memorial instead on Saturday night (Nov 9). https://t.co/l8uwNjwYS7 #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/IoN4te2qYZ
— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) November 9, 2019
No rational person wishes for violence, but as long as there are those that want to take away rights and freedom, they must be resisted. Let's all hope that the CCP and Hong Kong government and police regain their senses, and that the people of Hong Kong's struggle to maintain their rights and freedom is won.
How the Government and Police are Eroding Human Rights in Hong Kong
By now it is well known that the protests in Hong Kong started over a proposed amendment to Hong Kong law that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China for trial. The people of Hong Kong were rightfully concerned – terrified, is perhaps the better word – that this change in the law would allow political dissidents to be arrested for some "crime" and then extradited to the mainland, where they would be under the control of the CCP's "legal" system – and where they would have no rights whatsoever. Undoubtedly, some, many, all of them would be disappeared into China's notorious prisons, never to be heard from again.
Now that the extradition bill has been withdrawn, the protests have become primarily a pro-democracy movement. The protesters are demanding universal suffrage as one of their "Five Demands, Not One Less," as well as advocating for their human rights, which are guaranteed in the Hong Kong Basic Law, but are not respected by the CCP government in Beijing and are being eroded step-by-step by the Hong Kong government and police. This excellent Twitter thread by Elson Tong, a Hong Kong University law student, explains how the Hong Kong police have been further and further restricting the Hong Kong people's right of assembly. It's long, but well worth the read to better understand the tactics of the Hong Kong police, no doubt backed and organized by CCP elements within the Hong Kong police:
THREAD: With the police storming four private malls on Sunday, the destruction of Hong Kong's freedom of assembly is now essentially complete.
I will explain the process of destruction since July. 1/ https://t.co/AbtzjyETsL
— Elson Tong (@elson_tong) November 5, 2019
We all know that under Hong Kong's Public Order Ordinance, police approval is required for any protest in a public place larger than 30 (march) or 50 (rally).
Police have the power to impose conditions on approvals. 2/ pic.twitter.com/0lJxnsB5JZ
PUBLIC MARCHES:
The first significantly restrictive conditions were imposed on July 21, as the police ordered a Civil Human Rights Front march from Causeway Bay to end at Wanchai — 1km away — instead of Central as asked for. 3/ pic.twitter.com/MrAhs0xzWR
Soon, the condition for the approval of a protest — either by the police or the appeals board — is that it remained a rally, not a march (eg. Central, Jul 28; Kennedy Town, Aug 4).
A brief experiment with rallies-turned-marches as people leave was discontinued (Aug 18). 4/ pic.twitter.com/eYwbjYRg82
The first significant outright ban on a march was Yuen Long, July 27.
Since the end of August, the police have approved zero protest marches. And only one such ban (Tuen Mun, Sep 21) was overturned on appeal.
The norm since end-August has thus been: Only rallies are legal. 5/ pic.twitter.com/EFCpO7b6LB
PUBLIC RALLIES:
Public rallies, at least in certain locations (eg. Central), have not (yet) been banned in advance with such frequency.
But since September, police have adopted the tactic of banning them *while they are underway*. 6/ pic.twitter.com/OwtfTBJ5q4
This involves citing a public safety risk to order crowds to leave in an unreasonably short time, leaving no opportunity for appeals / procedural safeguards.
Police then arrest those who run away too slowly (eg. HKHRDA Sep 8, Occupy Sep 28, Central Nov 2). 7/ pic.twitter.com/74K0M06KBG
Sometimes police also enter authorised rallies on a pretext eg. to enforce the mask ban (Tsim Sha Tsui Nov 2).
As such, a letter of no objection for a rally is now a double-edged sword, and can trap less vigilant participants into arrest. 8/ pic.twitter.com/CUhKAoHqUf
PRIVATE PROTESTS:
Rallies in private premises (eg. malls) do not require police approval.
The first time police entered a mall was July 14 at Shatin's New Town Plaza, which prompted fierce backlash against mall management. They did not do this again for some time. 9/ pic.twitter.com/lJt5vGRU2d
Police are only allowed to enter private premises by consent (which no mall, open for business, would reasonably give), or in order to arrest identifiable suspects if there is a danger they will escape.
But police appear to have developed a new tactic since October/November. 10/ pic.twitter.com/ZCmDSlP0I2
On Nov 3, riot police stormed Shatin's New Town Plaza, Tai Po's Mega Mall, Tai Koo's Cityplaza and Diamond Hill's Hollywood Plaza —
All on the pretext that somebody reported protesters vandalising shops. 11/ pic.twitter.com/HJ8bmJ1egD
As police did not spend time to locate/investigate the shops, these reports were likely false. It only takes one pro-Beijing supporter to call police in bad faith for an excuse.
These likely false reports give police a legal pretence to enter and "search for the suspect". 12/ pic.twitter.com/bLkR8lCYN3
For all objective intents and purposes, the effect is to break up the private rally, and arrest people for "obstructing police".
Arrests notably include security guards (Ma On Shan, Oct 8) or shopowners (Tuen Mun, Nov 30) who refuse to let police inside private premises. 13/ pic.twitter.com/TFxeWzNxJU
As such, with the:
1) Banning of public marches;
2) Manipulation of authorised public rallies into "arrest traps";
3) Invasion of private premises on (plausibly deniable) false legal pretences;
Hong Kong's freedom of assembly is, by early November 2019, virtually destroyed. pic.twitter.com/5Cc2YfrSGr
This kind of clear-eyed view of the strategies and tactics of the CCP and their followers is very much needed. Thanks to Elson Tong for providing this thread. We hope he is okay with us reposting it here. Of course, if he is not, we will take down this post immediately.
It is typical of the CCP to continue to apply pressure until their target capitulates. They almost never negotiate, and even when they do, they do not negotiate in good faith. They will break any agreement they make as soon as they think it is in their interest to do so, and they think they can get away with it. So far the pro-democracy movement has not capitulated to the CCP's pressure tactics and use of violence as a means of oppression and coercion.
Happy Halloween? Hong Kong Police Say No.
Today is Halloween. It's supposed to be a happy, fun, and perhaps a little bit silly day for people to celebrate with costumes, candy, and parties. But by now, we know that's not possible in Hong Kong. Not with the brutal monsters in the Hong Kong police making sure that no one has fun.
Just keep scrolling and viewing the videos and pictures, if you have the stomach for it. The behavior of the Hong Kong police is sickening.
#NOW – A group of police surrounded and shouted at this driver who sounded his horns a couple of times in Central. He was later let go. pic.twitter.com/ZN2zk8bWT0
— Lok. (@sumlokkei) October 31, 2019
He committed the crime of honking his horn. Clearly a dangerous criminal.
Question as simple as "where is your cordon line" was met by pepper spray right at the eyes. Hong Kong is in a huge Stanford Prison Experiment, giving absolutely unchecked power and privilege to #HKPolice, but no one in the gov't will call stop. #FreeHongKong #PoliceBrutality pic.twitter.com/yibUeuY9V4
— Alex Lam 林偉聰 (@lwcalex) October 31, 2019
Absolutely egregious abuse and brutality. Pepper spray directly into this man's eyes, for no reason whatsoever. He is a Hong Kong citizen, though, so he's automatically guilty of something or other.
After temporarily clearing Nathan Road of protesters, police used pepper balls to force people on the footpath to move on
If police are intent on stopping the hardcore protesters at an early stage in the night, then passers-by will have even less time to move to a safe distance pic.twitter.com/nfXuxHjqkd
— Aaron Mc Nicholas (@aaronMCN) October 31, 2019
Committing the crime of being on the sidewalk on Halloween night. Shoot them!
A cardboard box is thrown at the police cordon in Lan Kwai Fong, prompting officers to raise a blue flag warning that they may use force. #HongKong pic.twitter.com/zOQyn4Tjjg
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) October 31, 2019
Watch out Hong Kong police. Next time they may throw spit wads!
●Source:@cityusuedb
Hong Kong police arrested an American lady who was celebrating Halloween in the downtown.
香港警察拘捕了一名慶祝萬聖節的美國女士https://t.co/2hbYfp9oK9#American #HongKong #AntiELAB #LIHKG #HongKongPoliceState #halloween2019 pic.twitter.com/oxl4S1zFLf
— LIHKG 討論區 (@lihkg_forum) October 31, 2019
We cannot be sarcastic about this one. The Hong Kong police abused an American woman. A MOAB directly onto HK police headquarters might be an appropriate response. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GBU-43/B_MOAB
#NOW – at the foot of #LKF, a woman said "spray my beautiful ass" and was arrested. In the process the police used pepper spray, hitting me and other journalists. #antiELAB #halloween2019 pic.twitter.com/eQanRflJ7z
Beautiful? Well, not sure about that, but the HK police seemed to like it.
Flashing strong light at someone's face is how #Police maintain the law n safety in #HongKong now? When the man in suit asked the police for the police's no.,the police replied provocatively"Look!Can't you read you dickhead,here's the no."while there's no no. on him. #PoliceState pic.twitter.com/Vq5dr0UOJm
— Pegs (@Peggy_fung) October 31, 2019
He committed the crime of talking while wearing a suit. The problem, obviously, is that he wasn't wearing a tie.
An elderly woman bled heavily after got shot at her leg by a tear gas canister fired by #HKPoliceTerrorists pic.twitter.com/Y7OmJdXi2s
— Demosistō 香港眾志 😷 (@demosisto) October 31, 2019
Don't let anyone tell you that the police just attack and arrest young protesters. Everyone, no matter how young or old, is in danger from the police brutality.
Riot police officer sprayed a passerby and a journalist in the eyes, as the squad tried to clear press members, protesters and passers by from Argyle Street in Mong Kok. #HongKongPoliceState pic.twitter.com/53C5axcDbt
— Rachel Cheung (@rachel_cheung1) October 31, 2019
They were committing the obvious crimes of walking and doing journalism. Pepper spray them!
BREAKING: police fire tear gas in Central at around 10pm, in an attempt to clear revellers and protesters from the business and entertainment district. #HongKong pic.twitter.com/32953dmZ1J
No entertainment allowed! Tear gas all the things!
We really hate to and don't want to turn this site into a daily commentary on Hong Kong police brutality. This writer feels actually heartbroken that so many posts have been written here about it. But there just is no other honest choice, if we are to follow our conscience. The brutalization and oppression of the Hong Kong people by the Hong Kong government and police must be exposed and brought to light as widely as possible. We know that this site doesn't get many readers, but if we can help in even this small way, we will continue to do so.
We sincerely hope that in the very near future, the rights and freedom of Hong Kongers will be secured, and we will be able to focus our attention on more positive developments in Chinese communities around the world. #FreeHongKong
Will the Hong Kong Police Ever Face Justice?
At this point, can anything more be said about the Hong Kong Police Force's brutality? They are simply out-of-control thugs. Any resemblance to an actual police force is merely coincidental. They are targeting not just demonstrators, but passers-by, journalists – even elderly people and families – for beatings, pepper-spray, bean-bag rounds and rubber bullets. And the Hong Kong government has issued a broad injunction making it illegal to publish any information about the police that might in some way identify them. They wear masks and remove any identification from their uniforms. Who knows if they are even actual police officers?
These tweets showing what has been happening are just from today.
In Mong Kok, riot police has pushed a video journalist during a stop and search. Then officers questioned an expat: "You thought you're CIA? Trying to subvert Hong Kong?" #hongkongprotests pic.twitter.com/NFjgiRDffL
— Alvin L (@alvinllum) October 27, 2019
Journalist committing the crime of journalism, according to HK police. Foreigner committed the crime of being foreign. Obviously they are spies.
The two girls were walking in Mong Kok with their drinks and were surrounded by police officers. The police threatened them to arrest for "Disorder in public places".
Source: 唐生大地震 pic.twitter.com/G0CqaSUIfz
— Kevin (@KEVIN852HKG) October 27, 2019
These girls committed the crime of walking while drinking something. What were they thinking?
Tear gas being fired directly at protestors. How many times have we seen head shots like this. This is not accidental, it is systematic. No reasonable ROEs would allow this. Same effect as live fire with bullets, intent is to kill/seriously wound pic.twitter.com/3goFPdkVVM
— Sajad Jiyad سجاد (@SajadJiyad) October 26, 2019
This man committed the crime of getting his face in the way of a tear gas round. After that he committed the crime of being injured, leaving his face bloody, burnt, and smoking.
Editorial: Hong Kong Free Press calls for immediate release of freelance photographer following arrest in Mong Kok https://t.co/XA2bePHBHa #HongKong #China #HongKongProtests #StandWithHK #antiELABhk #antiELAB @SiuSinGallery @hkpoliceforce
HK police said she committed the crime of taking pictures they don't like. She looks dangerous. Arrest her!
Residents in Whampao with absolutely no gear, were pepper sprayed by riot police for no reason.
They were pedestrians on a sidewalk, not blocking streets nor causing trouble, with elderly and families among them.
Totally out of control.#HKPoliceTerrorism #HKprotests pic.twitter.com/dKvCDITG07
Brave HK police punish the crime of walking on the sidewalk by pepper-spraying regular citizens, children, and the elderly. They obviously deserved it.
#HKPolice randomly searching a small child's rucksack FFS who possibly can see this child as a criminal or threat??
This #HKPoliceState Makes me so angry#StandWithHK pic.twitter.com/pPpTZzWr7x
— Keep the Faith🏴 (@DaviesCymru68) October 27, 2019
A kid commits the crime of carrying his books and homework in a backpack. Despicable!
#BREAKING: A police officer just fired tear gas from the car's back door INTO a pharmacy shop at Yau Ma Tei, #HongKong. I was at nxt store and saw people at that time were outside taking pix on previous TG canisters. People weren't wearing any gas masks. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/izbS8Cn0hn
— Jasmine Leung (@_jasmineleung_) October 27, 2019
These people committed the crimes of buying and selling medicine in a pharmacy. Only terrorists need medicine!
These kinds of incidents have been happening for weeks, with no end in sight. The Hong Kong police are supposedly trained professionals, regarded as the best police force in Asia. What has happened to them? They've turned into a gang of undisciplined thugs, and despite clear evidence of their brutality, the Hong Kong government and police leadership continue to deny there's any problem. It's gaslighting.
It's tiresome to keep on repeating this, but we must: the Hong Kong police must be held accountable for their brutality.
Who Ya Gonna Believe? Me or Your Lyin' Eyes?
The title is a pretty well-known phrase in the U.S. often attributed to comedian and film star Groucho Marx, but actually appears to have originally said by his lesser-known (but still famous) brother, Chico Marx, in the film "Duck Soup." (So the phrase probably actually originated with the scriptwriter for the movie, or perhaps it is even older than the movie, and it's true origins are unknown).
This little saying is a really succinct form of the gaslighting concept that we wrote about yesterday. It's a tactic employed again and again by the Hong Kong police – deceiving the public and shamelessly lying to journalists, denying the obvious reality right in front of our eyes. They did it yesterday, denying the obvious targeting of the Hong Kong mosque by the water cannon.
Today, they did the same, but even more egregiously. Listen to Swalikh Mohammed, Superintendent of Cybersecurity for the Hong Kong police, say that the police used the water cannon on a small group of peaceful, non-violent people in front of the mosque to "protect the mosque."
The water cannon sprayed blue dye in Tsim Sha Tsui to "protect the mosque" on Sunday, police said, hitting out at critics for "inciting and inflaming" the situation: https://t.co/3X1hkWDvSk #hongkong #hongkongprotests #antiELAB #china @krislc pic.twitter.com/xQd6qXYgwl
To protect the mosque? From what? No one was attacking the mosque; the people were just standing in front of the mosque, minding their own business. And if they were protecting the mosque, why did the police (there were several police vehicles accompanying the water cannon truck) immediately drive away after spraying the irritant blue dye all over the front steps and grounds of the mosque?
Do the Hong Kong police think everyone observing what happened and listening to what they say is stupid or blind? It's obvious nonsense. They obviously don't fear any repercussions for their brutality and lying. It cannot stand. The Hong Kong police must face sanctions and punishment for their crimes.
Recurring Themes: Brutality and Gaslighting
Frankly, it's getting a little tiresome to write so many articles about the Hong Kong police force's brutality against the people of Hong Kong. We could post about some incident of brutality or another literally every day – even multiple times a day. But we really feel like we are left with no choice but to continue. If the world stops paying attention, the situation in Hong Kong very likely would be even worse than it already is. Even though this site doesn't get many readers, it's our mission to highlight important news from Chinese communities around the world, and we will continue to do so. What is happening in Hong Kong is one of the most important things happening in the world right now, so we have to write about it.
The brutality and unprofessionalism of the Hong Kong police has been well documented by several respected observers and news organizations: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the New York Times, and many others, as well as in dozens, even hundreds, of videos taken by professional and amateur videographers. With cell phone cameras in the hands of just about everyone on the street these days, incidents of police brutality are almost certain to be recorded by someone. In press conferences, the Hong Kong police have been confronted by these videos showing their brutality many times. Not surprisingly, the police have been retaliating against journalists, targeting them for violence and harassment. Like this:
#Police shot at journalist AGAIN, it exploded right above them
Does the officer not have the ability to aim or not have the ability to distinguish colour (as journalists wear reflective vest)?#PoliceBrutality #PoliceState #StandWithHongKong #FreeHongKong #HongKongRioters pic.twitter.com/biU2mxd45f
— sc🇭🇰 (@fktws) October 20, 2019
The police officer threw a tear gas grenade directly at reporters covering the Hong Kong demonstrations, hitting or nearly hitting one female reporter in the head, then the police just boarded their busses and left. What was the purpose of that, if not just to harass journalists?
The oppression of organized religion by the CCP is also well-known. Was the CCP behind today's incident where the oldest mosque in Hong Kong was targeted by a police water cannon spraying blue dye and irritants? Or was it just more brutality, hostility, and unprofessionalism by the Hong Kong police? Whatever the case, a small group of people was standing in front of the mosque, not doing anything illegal, not violent, when a police water cannon truck stopped in front of the mosque, and twice sprayed the front steps and the small group of people.
Kowloon Mosque dyed blue by police water cannon. Only legislator Jeffrey Tam and staff from the Islamic Centre was at the gate.
There was absolutely no reason for them to fire at that moment. Shows how the police force has no respect over any person, or religion.#StandWithHK pic.twitter.com/I4VVQt3ib0
In this video from above, you can clearly see the small group of people in front on the mosque, then the water cannon truck stopping and firing the water cannon at the people, deliberately dousing the people there and splashing the steps and grounds of the mosque with blue dye and irritant chemicals – and then, like in the case where the police targeted the journalists with a tear gas grenade, they just drove away. It serves no legitimate purpose; it's just harassment and terrorism.
This is the moment the Hong Kong Police Force fired the water cannon at Kowloon Mosque.
The water cannon is only supposed to be used to disperse large crowds. But apart from those worshipping/a few people guarding the mosque, there was no one there. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/sXEEAV7GLK
— J P (@hyjpang) October 20, 2019
Making the situation worse was the gaslighting by the Hong Kong police.
As the vehicle approached Nathan Road outside the Kowloon Mosque, coloured water was used for effecting the dispersal, which accidentally affected the entrance and front gate of the Kowloon Mosque.
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) October 20, 2019
As anyone can see by watching these videos, there was nothing accidental about the water cannon being used on the small, peaceful group of people in front of the mosque. It was deliberate targeting of people doing nothing illegal, nothing violent.
In this case, even the tone-deaf, obtuse, stupid Hong Kong government realized that the police had gone too far, and they were forced to apologize:
It is most unfortunate that the dispersal operation has caused unintended impact on the Kowloon Mosque. Following the incident, the Police have immediately contacted the Chief Imam as well as Muslim community leaders to clarify the situation and to show our concern.
Carrie Lam had to make an appearance at the mosque to try to smooth things over.
Hong Kong leader apologises over police striking Kowloon mosque with water cannon blue dye, community leaders say https://t.co/YKKAKe3jAO @krislc #HongKong
While the Hong Kong police brutalized Hong Kongers, the pro-democracy demonstrators and other ordinary Hong Kong people gathered to clean up the mess that the police made:
شکریہ ہانگ کانگ کے پیارے لوگو
Thank you The loveliest people of Hong kong
From All muslim community of Hong kong
谢谢香港最可爱的人
来自香港的所有穆斯林社區❤❤❤❤🤝🤝🤝🤝👍👍👍😘😘😘😘 pic.twitter.com/DIDbvfPZ7k
— carranocheungwm8889 (@carranocheungw1) October 20, 2019
Hours later, continuing their gaslighting of the people of Hong Kong, some police showed up at the mosque to stage a photo op and PR stunt to show how concerned they were by "cleaning up" the blue dye that had already been cleaned up. According to reports, they were there for about five minutes:
[2220] After spraying the Kowloon Mosque with blue water, now a cringe-worthy PR show by the #HongKongPolice: pick a handrail, wipe a few times when the press'here, take a selfie and consider it done within 5 minutes.
Can they do anything right?#HongKongProtests #HongKong https://t.co/YkFcYaVjzP pic.twitter.com/Lih8AGybSV
— W😷B😷Yeats (@WBYeats1865) October 20, 2019
This kind of gaslighting by the Hong Kong police, denying obvious reality and daring anyone to say anything about it, is a common tactic when confronted with their brutality and law-breaking. Here a Hong Kong police officer says he works for the U.S. FBI when asked for his identification:
Sounds legit. Nitwit Hong Kong police officer claims he's in the FBI, when journo asks for his ID number. #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/ji4mUXeGg0
— Ray Kwong (@raykwong) October 20, 2019
A couple of weeks ago, Vasco Williams, a senior officer of the HK police said in a press conference in front of dozens of journalists that a video of the police kicking a member of the "Protect Our Children" group in a yellow vest just showed them kicking a "yellow object."
Hong Kong police said that this video shows "what appears to be an officer kicking a yellow object." But what is it? 🍌?🚕?🌻? Nope. It's a human being. pic.twitter.com/ooji3md81F
— Amnesty International (@amnestyusa) September 29, 2019
What he said was so ridiculous and stupid that he had to walk it back later, but he continued to insist that the police had done nothing wrong, even in the face of video evidence of the officers kicking a prostrate, unresisting person – that is not even a protester!
Throughout the entire 20 weeks (at this writing) of pro-democracy demonstrations, these things come up over and over again. The Hong Kong police brutalize the people and then deny, obfuscate, and outright lie about it. They are gaslighting the people of Hong Kong and the world. This outrageous behavior cannot stand. They must be held accountable.
Another Step in the Right Direction: House Passes Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and PROTECT Hong Kong Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the PROTECT Hong Kong Act.
U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passes H.R. 3289, the #HongKong Human Rights & Democracy Act and H.R. 4270, the PROTECT Hong Kong Act. https://t.co/4iKQ0tnmVL
— China Commission (@CECCgov) October 15, 2019
These two acts apply pressure to the Beijing and Hong Kong governments and support the pro-democracy demonstrators in their fight for their human rights, as promised to them in the treaty between the United Kingdom and China, which was registered with the United Nations. Those rights were then enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law.
The text of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act is here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3289/text. The Wikipedia article on the bill says this:
According to the Congressional Research office,[2][3] the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act would direct various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong's unique treatment under U.S. law. Specifically, it would:
• Require the Secretary of State to issue an annual certification of Hong Kong's autonomy to justify special treatment afforded to Hong Kong by the U.S. Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992.[13]
• Require the President to identify persons responsible for the abductions of Hong Kong booksellers and journalists and those complicit in suppressing basic freedoms in Hong Kong, including those complicit in the rendition of individuals, in connection to their exercise of internationally recognized rights, to mainland China for detention or trial, and to freeze their U.S.-based assets and deny them entry into the United States.[13]
• Require the President to issue a strategy to protect U.S. citizens and businesses from the risks posed by a revised Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, including by determining whether to revise the U.S.–Hong Kong extradition agreement and the State Department's travel advisory for Hong Kong.[13]
• Require the Secretary of Commerce to issue an annual report assessing whether the government of Hong Kong is adequately enforcing both U.S. export regulations regarding sensitive dual-use items and U.S. and U.N. sanctions, particularly regarding Iran and North Korea.[13]
• Make clear that visa applicants shall not be denied visas on the basis of the applicant's arrest, detention or other adverse government action taken as a result of their participation in the nonviolent protest activities related to pro-democracy advocacy, human rights, or the rule of law in Hong Kong.[13]
Wikipedia article on Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
For the pro-democracy movement, the first, second, and last items are likely the most significant.
First, if Hong Kong's autonomy is not guaranteed, it may lose its special status as a trading partner with the U.S. This will put enormous pressure on Hong Kong's business people. They have significant influence on the Hong Kong government, and to some degree on the Beijing government. The CCP is trying to replace the Hong Kong financial markets with markets in Shenzhen and Shanghai, but even if that is ultimately successful, it will take time – probably some years. Much of the capital from the west that finances China's business enters through Hong Kong, so losing special status would be a blow not just to Hong Kong, but also to mainland China. It is not something Beijing can just ignore; though the CCP will no doubt downplay its importance.
Next, the second bullet point contains a bombshell in the clause that says that the President must "identify persons…complicit in suppressing basic freedoms in Hong Kong…and to freeze their U.S.-based assets and deny them entry into the United States." That is big. Members of the Hong Kong government and police, as well as members of the Beijing government identified by the U.S. administration as having oppressed the human rights of the people of Hong Kong risk losing investments and property in the U.S. and being denied entry. Given that many wealthy Chinese from the mainland and from Hong Kong have investments and property in the U.S., it is a powerful statement.
Finally, the last bullet point says that the pro-democracy demonstrators are welcome in the U.S. regardless of whether Hong Kong or mainland China says they have committed crimes, as they should be. Fighting for one's natural human rights is not a crime.
The PROTECT Hong Kong Act is perhaps more symbolic, in that it will restrict the sale of tear gas and other non-lethal munitions to the Hong Kong government and police by U.S. companies. Those non-lethal munitions can undoubtedly be sourced from other countries, so the impact on brutality and violence by the Hong Kong police is probably limited. Nevertheless, it does send another message to the Hong Kong government that the U.S. will not be complicit in its violation of the rights of the demonstrators.
We continue to urge the U.S. government to take additional measures to pressure the Beijing and Hong Kong governments to honor the promises that they have made in formal treaties and in the Basic Law, to respect the rights of all citizens of Hong Kong to self-representation, free speech, free assembly, and a free and impartial legal system (among others). In addition, there must be a free, impartial, and effective investigation into the clearly documented acts of brutality committed by the Hong Kong police. The U.S. has additional legal and diplomatic tools at its disposal, including designating individuals and organizations under the Global Magnitsky Act and placement on the Department of Commerce Entity List. Despite the shameful actions of a few, the vast majority of Americans support the pro-democracy demonstrations. Continued support by prominent Americans, senators, and representatives encourages the demonstrators and adds pressure to the Beijing and Hong Kong governments to take necessary steps to guarantee Hong Kong's rights and freedom. Americans in a position to speak up in support should do so, not hide behind moral equivalence and platitudes to protect their wallets. Have moral courage to do what is right.
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text:
The judging for the 10th annual Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest, organized by the Underwater Photography Guide, has finished, and the winning images and photographers have been announced. The photographer Luc Rooman won Best in Show for his image of a pair of fighting pike. The organizers of the contest have once more shared some of the winners and honorable mentions, shown below, from 13 categories. Captions were written by the individual photographers and have been lightly edited for clarity.
Against All Odds: Third Place, Wide Angle. Near Heron Island, Australia, a green sea-turtle hatchling cautiously surfaces for air to a sky full of hungry birds. Against all odds, this hatchling must battle through the conditions of a raging storm while evading a myriad of predators. Not only has the tropical storm brought out thousands of circling birds, but there are also patrolling sharks and large schools of fish on the hunt for baby turtles. #
© Hannah Le Leu / Ocean Art
Long-Snouted Seahorse: Honorable Mention, Portrait. The spiny seahorse, also known as the long-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus), is recognizable by the longer snout and fleshy mane on its neck and back. This photo was taken during a shallow dive near Biograd na Moru, Croatia. #
© Michal Štros / Ocean Art
Snoeken: First Place, Marine Life Behavior. This photograph was captured during a night dive in October at the dive site Domein Muisbroek, near Antwerp, Belgium. To my surprise, I came across these fighting pike. #
© Luc Rooman / Ocean Art
I'm the Boss Here: Honorable Mention, Portrait. This image was taken off Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja, Mexico. #
© Damir Zurub / Ocean Art
Greedy: Honorable Mention, Blackwater. A greedy larval lobster carries four larval acorn worms. #
© Steven Kovacs / Ocean Art
In the River After the Floods: First Place, Compact Behavior. Ouenghi River, New Caledonia. Several times a year, heavy rains cause the waters of our rivers to rise several meters and take away a lot of green waste, leaves, branches, and sometimes whole trees torn from the banks. With the current very strong, I waited a few days for the water to recede. I spent a week or so with friends who live near the river, to take pictures of the Doules (Kuhlia rupestris), commonly called Caledonian carp. That day, one of them having come close to the surface, I was able to take this photo with a drifting palm branch. #
© Jack Berthomier / Ocean Art
Family: First Place, Wide Angle. A group of pilot whales resides in clear waters in the southwest of the channel between the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera. We can see adult females with calves and juvenile whales swimming together. It is normal to see this group of interrelated individuals apart from the big males. #
© Eduardo Acevedo / Ocean Art
Mating Southern Keeled Octopuses: Third Place, Compact Behavior. This was the first time I'd ever witnessed a pair of southern keeled octopuses engaged in mating. It was also the first time I've ever seen octopuses mating with a shell between them. When I first spotted them from a distance, the male was sitting atop the shell containing the female. I saw him dismount the shell and move several meters away, so I continued to observe from a slight distance, hoping he would return to the waiting female. After several minutes of us waiting and watching each other from afar, I wondered what would happen if I slowly approached the shell. I was surprised to see the male mirroring my movement. When I got very close to the shell, the male climbed onto it again and inserted his hectocotylus mating arm into the waiting female below, allowing me to get a very close and intimate shot of the action. Photographed along Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. #
© PT Hirschfield / Ocean Art
Party Time: First Place, Compact Macro. I took this photo during my first diving holiday in Egypt last year. I had just gotten a new camera before that I wanted to test there. I didn't know what to expect, and I was hoping for some tiny underwater critters, which are my favorites. It was at the end of a dive at the house reef and we were just heading to the exit when a diver from another group grabbed me and showed me this gathering of Idiomysis shrimp. #
© Kathrin Landgraf-Kluge / Ocean Art
Parende Padden: Honorable Mention, Coldwater. Toads mate in early spring, in March, at a water temperature of 8 degrees Celsius. I've been tracking this behavior for several years, and on a cold sunny March day, some rays of sun fell on these toads, putting them right in the spotlight. This photo was taken while snorkeling at a depth of one meter, in Belgium. #
Bryde's Whale With Ghost Net: Third Place, Underwater Conservation. We were on the island of Faial with special permission from local authorities to photograph whales underwater. We already had some good whale encounters when we noticed this Bryde's whale. We were able to determine that there were injuries to the animal's mouth, but we could not identify the cause. Only when we were in the water did we find that the animal was caught in a ghost net. This net had already cut deep into the whale's snout and was longer than the whale itself. It was a really sad sight for us. In spite of attempts, we unfortunately did not succeed in freeing the animal from the net because it was traveling too deep and too fast. If the net cannot be loosened, the whale will perish miserably. Local biologists were informed. #
© Michael Vogelsang / Ocean Art
Steller Friends: Honorable Mention, Coldwater. During the fall of 2020, I spent many hours scuba diving with California sea-lion pups in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, to observe their development. #
© Celia Kujala / Ocean Art
Mom: Honorable Mention, Macro. Peacock mantis shrimp are very common in Philippine waters. We were lucky to find this beautiful model with eggs. It was really hard to take this shot because she was really shy at first. I had spent all my air waiting and making her comfortable with my equipment. When she came outside her hole, I was ready to catch the moment. Photographed in Anilao, Batangas, Philippines. #
© Matteo Visconti / Ocean Art
Flared Beauty: Second Place, Blackwater. A favorite subject to encounter on a blackwater dive is the beautiful larval tripod fish. Like many other larval fishes, the young of these species have large, rounded fins that they can use to mimic jellyfish in order to try to stay camouflaged from predators. The fins of these species are more spectacular than most other fish, and the wide range of color variations that exist is truly breathtaking. #
Traffic Jam: First Place, Coldwater. I anchored myself against a rock at the base of a small plunge pool and watched wave after wave of pink salmon cruise by and make the leap up the falls to head toward spawning grounds upstream. The fish are so singularly focused on their mission, they paid no mind to me at all. I was just part of their environment. Photographed on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. #
© Matthew Sullivan / Ocean Art
Festoons: Third Place, Marine Life Behavior. After mating, the female gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus) finds a suitable den to lay her eggs, usually tucking herself into a crevice. Each fertilized egg is protected by a translucent white sac that contains the nutrient-rich yolk for it to develop in. Eggs are then braided together, forming festoons of eggs. Just like ribbons or lights, the festoons of eggs are delicately attached to the surface of the den, hanging over the mother who spends the rest of her life caring for her young. Location: Australia, New South Wales. #
© Louise Nott / Ocean Art
Basking Shark Mating Aggregation: Third Place, Coldwater. This summer we had an unusual spell of easterly winds that calmed the North Atlantic off the west coast of Ireland. We'd heard rumors from local fishermen of basking sharks being sighted off the coast here, so we headed off early to see if we could find any, and almost as soon as we got to the area and stopped the boat, we could see fins. Jumping into the water, we were greeted by huge groups, up to 30 animals, of these 35-foot-long sharks. We were able to swim with several groups of these amazing animals for the full day. The sharks completely ignored us, seemingly focused on mating carousals where they followed one another, nose to tail, in several large spiraling aggregations. #
© Nigel Motyer / Ocean Art
Social Distancing Ladybug Style: Second Place, Macro. This was my first time diving Komodo and I had heard great things, but I was most excited for this subject (ladybug amphipods), which Komodo has in abundance. I took advantage of the green water and poor visibility that we experienced by shooting macro almost exclusively, and it did not disappoint. I took several images of this crinoid, and this was my favorite. This was the last trip I took before the world shut down. One week after I got back, we went into lockdown, so the memory of it is bittersweet. #
© Sarah Vasend / Ocean Art
Guarding Eggs: Second Place, Marine Life Behavior. Most yellow pygmy gobies are found in old wormholes or empty bottles. We found these gobies living under the bottom of a black sponge. The male goby was circling around to guard their fertilized eggs. Because of the position of the eggs, I had to shoot it upside down. After I arranged all the gear and waited about 10 minutes, the male goby paused on the place I expected, and I pressed the shutter. Location: Anilao, Batangas, Philippines. #
© Julian Hsu / Ocean Art
Motherhood: First Place, Compact Wide Angle. Humpback whale mothers and their calves are seen annually in the shallow waters off of Mo'orea, Tahiti, typically from August to October. It's important to approach a mother and calf slowly and with respect—not every pair will stay in the area once they spot you. We were fortunate that this mother was quite comfortable in our presence, even encouraging her shy calf to get a closer look at us by pushing him toward us with her nose. #
© Kate Rister / Ocean Art
Infinity Pool Isn't Just Another Satire of the Ultra-Wealthy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


My newest post "Dating in a Grammar Free Zone" was specially commissioned by the lovely and talented staff at Grammarly.com. I was flattered to be asked to contribute to their website and it was so much fun that we're soon going to be guest hosting a writer from Grammarly.com right here at the Writing Wonderland! Grammar Good Times!
"Dating In a Grammar-Free Zone" is all about humorous experiences with grammar and dating - and how dating someone who writes letters like "omigod lol you are too Cute for words"... is really asking for an eventual divorce if you're a dyed-in-the-wool grammar nerd. After all, people are meant to find love. I'm enough of a romantic to get that. However, there's just no excuse for sentences like the one above if you're trying to woo someone on a dating website. In the immortal words of Cole Porter, "Brush up your Shakespeare/And the women you will wow." Or, if you're unsure about Hamlet or A Midsummer Night's Dream, at the very least learn how to write a proper sentence. You love life may one day depend on it.
Check out "Dating in A Grammar-Free Zone" over at Grammarly.com!
A special and heartfelt thanks to the lovely folks over at Grammarly.com. It's nice to know that we grammar folks are not alone.