Joshua Wong (19), Nathan Law Kwun-chung (23) and Alex Chow Yong-kang (25) are student leaders of the Demosistō Party, a centre-left pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong established in April of this year. The 3 were convicted and found guilty of unlawful assembly. Joshua was the main orchestrator, by effectively rallying and mobilizing the 2014 Umbrella Movement, a 79-day street occupation of 100,000 student activists stormed the east wing forecourt at government headquarters, Civic Square, when it was closed for security reasons on September 26. Paralyzing the city’s normally booming financial district. Described as the greatest challenge to China’s Communist rulers since the 1989 Tiananmen protests. However, despite gaining international recognition for its cause, the protest ultimately achieved no concessions from the Chinese authorities. in playing a pivotal role in the civil disobedience movement for greater democracy.
“The core values of Hong Kong are continually being eroded,” –Joshua Wong
Hong Kong has always prided itself on being relatively autonomous and self-sufficient, boasting more liberal as well as progressive values concerning assembly/protests especially compared to its notoriously strict albeit tyrant counterpart. However, in recent years increased pressure due to China’s growing encroachment, has led to BrExit-like ideas of self-determination and actual autonomy allowing further implementation of reform without the interference and disruption by conflicting political control. Similarly, disunity has occurred as the city’s political landscapes becoming increasingly bitter and fragmented as groups form in support of these choices, and the extent of this will become apparent in this September’s upcoming Legislative Council elections.
Under the city’s current one country, two systems framework, a committee composed of 1,200 Beijing Loyalists selected the Hong Kong leader. This was replaced in a failed effort to fix ties and ease tensions. Candidates for September’s Legislative Council elections — who this year include pro-democracy and independence activists — must sign a declaration that Hong Kong is an “inalienable” part of China and that advocating and promoting independence could render them ineligible. Thus, candidates for the legislative council, which includes pro-democracy and independence activists, were required to declare in a new confirmation form that the city falls directly under the central government in Beijing. The Hong Kong Government also said advocating and promoting independence was “contrary” to that declaration and could render a candidate ineligible.
By demanding “genuine universal suffrage” and democratic elections by people as well as for them. They, Hong Kong’s new generation of activists, have played and will continue to play a pivotal role in the civil disobedience movement for greater democracy in Hong Kong’s fight for autonomy, independence, and self-determination. Considered democratic icons, and representatives of disillusioned youth. Young people worldwide who faced tough prospects, along with their charisma and ability to impassion the current and most importantly the next generation. It is apparent as to why they’re perceived as such threats to the status quo.
Sources:
- http://www.theworldweekly.com/reader/view/magazine/2016-06-30/joshua-wong-the-teenager-taking-on-china/8457
- http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-21/hong-kong-student-leader-wong-convicted-for-democracy-protests/7649012
- http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-20/hk-election-candidates-must-issue-china-pledge-by-law-electoral/7645420
- http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1992665/joshua-wong-nathan-law-and-alex-chow-convicted-actions (image)
