Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Not Monday morning quarterback - the umbrella movement

It is largely peaceful. People can still go to work. Selected areas blocked. And many protesters only join after work as support to others. At this point it is more like a gala. Ultimately HK people want Chief Executive CY Leung to resign and China offering more democracy through universal suffrage. The causes are multiple social problems. Immediate factor is the Occupy Central call. It was ignited by student class boycott as students found Occupy Central people not progressive enough.Things started to get worse when they isolated the protesters inside central govt complex in wanchai. People were worried about the ‘trap’. The crowd gathered outnumbered the police. People now call it umbrella movement/revolution because people only hold umbrellas to counter police’s tear gas. Over the top violence was used as police lost their judgment. As a HongKonger, we surprised ourselves the civil/civic attitude. Approaching 1 Oct, time to think possible solutions ending the crisis or achieving something: *If no resignation of current CE, at least give him long long holiday, even better if no pay *Govt gives up strategic govt central complex the power focus, taking the negotiation away from city centre *Assign and reopen public space for public use *Open new channels of grievances *Apart from institutionalizing the local leaders, give carrots for public to submit suggestions and implement them according to their needs and not only for those who are with power and with money *Resignation of exco members *New youth policies *Review police power (leaders), action protocols and the mechanism handling complaints More to think: *How to localize democracy in HK way under China rule?

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