Preface
If you have read my last post – Inside the Occupied Zones of The Umbrella Movement, you’ll know I was planning on gathering some analog photos of the Umbrella Movement for you guys. Luckily, one of my other friends is currently visiting Hong Kong, (who would also like to remain anonymous), has been taking photos with his film camera of the ongoing demonstrations. Let’s look at the protest at night through the eyes of a street photographer, complete with English captions.
Quick Facts
- For the complete story, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Hong_Kong_protests
- The initial movement of “Occupy Central With Love and Peace” was caused by the Chinese central government’s decision on electoral reform regarding future Hong Kong Chief Executive and Legislative Council elections.
- Police tactics (including the use of tear gas and pepper-spray) and violent attacks on demonstrators by anti-occupying opponents, allegedly including Triad members (Mobsters) and paid volunteers, triggered more citizens to join the protests by occupying streets of Causeway Bay and Mong Kok.
- It’s called The Umbrella Movement because the unarmed demonstrators used umbrellas and face masks to protect themselves against the police’s tear gas, pepper spray and batons.
- College and high school students play a large part in the movement.
- “689” is a nick name of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong given by the citizens, who is commonly known as C.Y. Leung, in reference to the number of votes he received in 2012 when he was elected, from the 1,200-member Election Committee.
- Occupiers have been known to sing the “happy birthday song”, to ignore anyone who tries to pick a fight (sometimes literally) with them.
- Sometimes there are more people at night, many people who hold regular jobs at day time joins the students at the occupied sites at night.
Umbrella Movement – Afterdark
“689 (Chief Executive) step down” “True universal suffrage”
Light Pole – “Keep up the good work Hong Kong” Bridge – “Universal Suffrage” “Civil disobedience” “Endure” “Peace and be sensible, freedom never dies”
The Four largest demands: 1.) Open the civic plaza. 2.) CY Leung and associates step down. 3.) Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress must take back their decision. 4.) Civil Nominations.
On the Bridge”Do you hear the people sing?” “I want true, universal suffrage” On top of the road sign, there’s a mock road sign, On the left: “Long Drive to resist!” On the right: “Peace, Freedom, True Democracy!”
“Holding onto freedom in the wind and the rain” “I believe I can change the future”
“Give me true, universal suffrage”
“Take the power back” “Freedom” “Listen” “Hope”
The only thing we can read from this photo is “Establish true democracy, establish universal suffrage, keep up the good work Hong Kong”
“Safeguard Hong Kong”
Night scene after dark on Connaught Road.
Martin Lee, a famous politician, giving a speech on stage.
A young political activist giving a speech.
Police standing next to the barricade in Mong Kok, Kowloon.
Nathan Road, Mong Kok
Tents set up on Nathan Road, Mong Kok.
Banner at the top: “In order to win, Endure till the end, It’s my Hong Kong, I’ll rescue it myself”
The iconic sight: Connaught Road, after dark.
“Condemn crooked policemen” “Police and citizens’ lives are from the same root” “Together we hold up the umbrellas, together we fight”
The study hall at night.
A makeshift bridge for people to cross the median.
On the column “Democracy Forum” and “On Strike”
Paintings and Sketches depicting life in the occupied area. Sadly they are now ruined by the rain.
“Endure”
Hong Kong singer, Anthony Wong, giving a speech on stage.
“A democracy column”
“Mrs Lam, Do you know the difference between universal suffrage and political screening?”
The umbrella man sculpture at night.
Newspapers stapled on a board. A stuffed animal wolf depicting the chief executive is being hung in effigy on top of the pole.
In the heart of the city.
Mong Kok’s street is normally packed to begin with, now there are even more people.
Another tent next to the barricade, to prevent from people tearing it down.
A Recycle station at the occupied site. Cardboard reads “please take your trash away from the occupied site when you leave”
A “supplies and first aid station”.
Admiralty Centre in the background.
Barricade with construction bamboo.
Outside the Hong Kong Police Headquarters. Policemen seen with riot gear packed around their belts.
Probably my favorite photo of the whole series. I’m not so sure if that particular bridge has seen that many people at night before.
Round of applause for the street photographer, “Pedestrian B” please.
This is the final post in the series.
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Thanks for putting these pictures out there, both to your unnamed source and to yourself.
I’ll send the person your regards. I am glad you enjoy seeing what it’s like in the demonstration area, I was quite fascinated myself.
Film certainly has that ‘reportage’ look that’s hard to replace. Kudos to you and your friend.
Cheers.
Thank you Mike.