Students at Shau Kei Wan Government Secondary School and Christ College in Sha Tin held peaceful demonstrations supporting the students arrested and opposing the mask ban
About 80 students and a handful of alumni gather at the parking area within Shau Kei Wan Government Secondary School's campus before class on Tuesday morning.Students from Christ College in Sha Tin and Shau Kei Wan Government Secondary School were among those who held peaceful protests on Tuesday morning.
At 7.45 am, about 150 students and 10 alumni of Christ College in Sha Tin formed a human chain outside Pok Hong Estate, a housing estate opposite the school, in a show of solidarity with the ten students who were arrested in recent protests.
One of the arrested students was being treated at Prince of Wales Hospital for a head injury, while the others were released on bail.
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Kwong’s hands were tied behind his back with a zip tie for more than 20 minutes and police officers searched his bag.
“The officers said a lot of insulting things to us. They asked us why we didn’t spend our energy on studying and broke the law instead. Some even said it would be best if all of us had a criminal record,” Kwong said.
Kwong and the other arrested protesters were then taken to Ma On Shan Police Station, where the police continuously dismissed their requests to contact family members and lawyers, according to the teenager. He eventually met with his lawyer at around 2am and was released on bail at 3am.
Students who participated in the human chain event did not wear masks. Tam Siu-ching, 16, said it was because most students feared they would be violating the newly imposed anti-mask law if they hid their faces.
“We are here to support our schoolmates, but because there are many of us, I think it is better to not wear a mask,” Tam said.
Although Lee’s parents opposed his involvement in the movement, he said he had to persist in doing the right thing. At home, he avoids talking about politics with his parents, as they always end up arguing.
Lee’s mother also signed the reply slip which the Education Bureau distributed to all parents. He said that he couldn’t do anything about it, as the reply slips were sent directly to parents online.
“Yet, I can’t stay silent in this critical moment because of my parents. There’s no turning back now. If the central government continues to erode our freedoms, we won’t be able to speak our minds anymore,” said Lee. “Hong Kong can never go back to the prosperous city that we once knew.”
As he spoke, he held up a black Bauhinia flag. The crowd chanted in the background, “Hongkongers, resist!”
Another student, Yin Tang, said, “If we don’t resist the emergency law, the government will use it to take away our freedoms step by step.”
“Therefore, I want to fulfil my responsibility as a Hong Kong citizen and exercise my right to protest now,” said the 17-year-old student.
Alfred Lam, a 15-year-old student who decided not to join the sit-in, said that although he wasn’t part of it, he supported the participating students and would wear a mask in school.
“I feel like the school doesn’t want us to [take part in the sit-in] and I’m worried about being punished by the school later on,” he added.
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The crowd sang the movement’s anthems, Glory to Hong Kong and Do you hear the people sing?
They also paid a silent tribute to the people whose deaths coinceded with events that happened during the anti-government movement and showed support for the arrested protesters.
No class boycott activities were planned on campus today.