Poster protest demonstrates solidarity with Hong Kong
Group finds safe, creative way to show support for pro-democracy movement
The first anniversary of the prodemocracy protests in Hong Kong is a time to reflect on the evolution of the movement, while supporting those who are still risking their lives for a democratic future, said the organizers of a “poster protest” beginning Friday in Vancouver.
About 120 posters will go up on the wall beside the Broadway-City Hall SkyTrain Station expressing the idea that the protest “extends beyond physical barriers.”
“The posters are all very different. Some are hand-drawn, some use photos or digital art,” said Jane Li, spokeswoman for the Vancouver Hong Kong Political Activists. “One that impacted me was a drawing by a little girl, a typical kid’s drawing, saying ‘Go Hong Kong!’ ”
Protests have continued in Hong Kong since the beginning of June 2019, when more than one million people turned out to oppose a law that would allow extraditions to Mainland China. One year ago, on June 12, 2019, police used tear gas on protesters who tried to stall the second reading of the bill. The confrontation led to a massive protest attended by almost two million people.
The protests and confrontations with police continued through the summer and fall of last year, including significant actions at universities and the Hong Kong airport. In Vancouver, prodemocracy protesters were met with pro-China counter-protesters on several occasions, but the actions remained peaceful.
While the extradition bill was suspended, the Hong Kong protests eventually became part of a wider pro-democracy movement. The emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020 put an end to large gatherings and major protests, but small events have since resumed in Hong Kong, particularly as China announced a plan to introduce new national security laws.
Li said the protests began with a singular goal, but have become a movement for democracy and opposition to the tactics of the Communist Party of China.
“Sometimes protests happen and then they are forgotten, but this has been going on for a year,” she said. “I think that shows how important it is.”
Li said it’s hard for her to imagine where the protests will go from here. Looking back on the last year, it would have been impossible to predict the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the world.
“We hope for political action from the international community,” she said. “I feel discouraged about the future, but that could be a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The leaders of several democratic countries, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have spoken out about their “deep concern” over China’s decision to impose the security law. Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the hundreds of thousands of Canadians currently living in Hong Kong are “very, very welcome” to come home.
Li said the Vancouver group has evolved over the course of the last year — from organizing protests every Saturday to beginning to seek ways to make a “political difference” in Canada by meeting with MPs.
As the first anniversary approached, the group was very aware of the pandemic and restrictions on large gatherings. As a group with a large number of older supporters, Li said the poster protest felt like the right move.
“We’ve done a lot of protests in person. This seemed like another way to get our message across,” she said.