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Why did Hongkongers join million-strong march to protest extradition bill? It’s about protecting freedom, and it’s in their DNA
- March stirs memories of 2003 protest and invigorates pro-democracy camp
- Both mass demonstrations show defiance of city’s residents
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Teenager Anna Chan Wah fought through a sea of demonstrators, undeterred by searing heat, the crawling pace of the protest – and even a gnawing fear of failure.
“We know our street protest today is not going to change anything, but we are here to fight for democracy in Hong Kong and to show that we still have a voice,” she said.
That was in 2003, when sixth former Chan spoke to the Post during the march against the national security legislation that brought half a million people to the streets.
Fast forward to 2019, the exact same sentiments rang loud and clear in the city on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers poured onto the streets – once again to show defiance.
This time the protest was against an extradition bill that would allow the transfer of fugitives to places with less robust legal systems, including mainland China.
Many protesters told the Post they were pessimistic that the bill would be halted. Still, they were not ready to give up without a fight. Many stayed true to their DNA as Hongkongers, exercising their freedom, and taking to the streets to send a message.
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