The pro-democracy camp should capitalise on its electoral gains to help resolve the crisis. Many aspects of the protest stand-off, such as the use of tear gas, directly affect residents’ welfare. Even a probe into police conduct can be considered council business.
The weeks following Beijing's decision on the political framework for the chief executive election have been characterised by collective shock, disbelief and anger among pro-democracy activists and their sympathisers in Hong Kong.
Of the seven students from Hong Kong who graduated from Brown University, my alma mater, in May, only one will be returning to the city for full-time employment after this summer. For the most part, the rest will either be in New York or San Francisco.