Free Hong Kong. Democracy Now

Dear world,

Hongkongers have already been on the streets protesting for at least a month. One of the protests in June was attended by two million people, roughly one-third of the city’s population. This was heightened by protesters breaking into the legislative building on 1st July, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China. With goodwill, we defiantly ask the government to listen to us which they repeatedly rebuff. They also further antagonise our innocent youths and citizens through excessive police violence, accusations and arrests.

The protests were initiated due to the Extradition Bill, which would allow suspected criminals to be extradited to China, a country infamous for its unjust criminal justice system where charges and ‘evidence’ can be fabricated out of thin air. Not only Hongkongers but also citizens of all countries who reside or travel to Hong Kong will be exposed to this risk.

The bill is the last straw on a camel’s back, behind which are much deeper issues that stem from the lack of universal suffrage of both the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Democracy as a universal value is at risk, and Hong Kong is on the frontier of its defence. Hongkongers have shown unparalleled bravery and have made historic progress against the world’s biggest totalitarian regime run by the Chinese Communist Party.

We plead you to join forces with Hong Kong in our demands of the government to:
1. Withdraw the Extradition Bill;
2. Drop charges against all protesters;
3. Recall the characterisation of ‘riot’;
4. Appoint an independent commission to investigate police brutality; and
5. Implement universal suffrage

Yours truly,
Hongkongers

Photo credit: 張良一

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