Thousands of Hongkongers Gather in London Parliament Square to Commemorate the 3-year Anniversary of the Anti-Extradition Movement

The rally “Be Water, Be United” in Parliament Square. (The Epoch Times, UK)

This year marks the third year anniversary of the anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong. Three years ago, tens of thousands of Hongkongers spontaneously marched on the street, to thwart the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance forcibly pushed by the Hong Kong authorities. The police brutally suppressed the protestors with tear gas and rubber bullets, triggering two-million Hongkongers to march on the streets and protest for more than a month. 

Now the people in Hong Kong are muted under the National Security Law,  but the commemorative activities are blooming all over the UK. On June 12 local time, thousands of Hongkongers gathered in London Parliament Square to demonstrate that their heart for pursuing democracy and freedom will never die.

Many Hongkongers attended the rallies in different towns in the UK. There are rallies “Anti-totalitarianism” in the Nottingham; “Be Water, Be United” in London Parliament Square, which was hosted by Isaac Cheng Ka-long, former Deputy Chairman of Demosisto.

The rally “Be Water, Be United” in the London Parliament Square. (The Epoch Times, UK)

Cheng said that people shouldn’t forget what had happened three years ago on June 12, the suppression by the Hong Kong Authorities, their ignorance of public opinions, the sacrifices of the protesters, all should be kept in the Hongkongers’ mind. He sighed for not expecting the rallies could only be held in the UK today, but he believed that Hongkongers would not forget their identities.

We shouldn’t forget that a group of protesters who have been sentenced to years in prison,  some are still imprisoned or awaiting interrogation, emphasized Cheng.

He shared the number of 10, 277 protesters being arrested, among which 2,800 have been accused, 1,100 are still in prison and 1,700 are waiting for interrogation. In just two years after the implement of the National Security Law, there are 175 Hongkongers that were arrested, that is one person being arrested every few days. And eight of them have been convicted.

The speech-part of the rally began with Carson, a front-line protester who is applying for political asylum. He said he never paid attention to current affairs from an early age, until the anti-national education movement. Seeing the determination of many Hongkongers to fight for freedom for the next generation, he opened the door to current affairs and politics, and then participated in the umbrella movement and the anti-extradition movement.

Carson said he had been following the news of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, and believed Hong Kong wouldn’t be safe under the law. The death of Li Wangyang (activist of June 4) gave us a lesson that we couldn’t believe the Chinese Communist Party, we wouldn’t be treated fairly or reasonably. 

When Carson saw on TV that the police fired several tear gas canisters and cleared the protesters by force, he arrived at the scene and helped the protesters to evacuate. He said he is not very brave but he couldn’t stand seeing anyone destroying Hongkongers’ freedom, so he must stand up.

Carson was arrested outside Polytechnic University and then released on bail. He decided to seek political asylum in the UK. The process of applying for political asylum is difficult and complicated, and he was under a lot of pressure, but he knew he had done nothing wrong. Finally he got help from Hong Kong Aid UK and other organizations. He hopes to assist Hongkongers to apply for political asylum in the UK.

Simon Cheng Man-kit, Co-founder of Hongkongers in Britain, said that he was very impressive by the people that came to the rallies, he sighted that the time flies and there wasn’t any freedom or democracy in Hong Kong now. “It’s hard to believe that raising a banner or shouting a slogan will become proof of a crime.” 

Cheng understood that many Hongkongers came to the UK with psychological trauma, but he hoped that Hongkongers to move on with their belief, continue to look back and look froward to the future.

He even hopes that Hong Kong democracy activists will one day become British deputies and participate in local affairs, describing it as the future of Hong Kong’s democracy. Let the world hear the voice from Hongkongers.

Benedict Rogers, CEO of Hong Kong Watch, Deputy Chairman of the British Conservative Party’s Human Rights Commission, focusing on Hong Kong affairs.

Rogers said it was a privilege to join the rally to unite his heart with the hearts of every single Hongkonger who fight for freedom. “It’s amazing to see the Parliament Square filled with so many Hongkongers, but as we come together, our hearts are very heavy, heavy with grieve, heavy with sorrow for those are still in prison, and we mourn for people who lost their lives.” He encouraged Hongkongers to come together, not only to look back, but to also  look ahead.

Benedict Rogers, founder of Hong Kong Watch, encouraged Hongkongers to join together, not only to look back, but should look ahead in London on June 12, 2022 (The Epoch Times, UK)

Rogers also appreciates the BNO visa provided by the UK government, which is very helpful to Hong Kong immigrants. He expressed the Hongkongers are very welcome in the UK. He also understands that Hongkongers will face difficulties in the UK, especially problems about BNO visa, or seeking for political asylum, but he believes that the British government can provide more assistance by speeding up the approval process.

He stressed that no matter how much the British government provides for Hongkongers, the situation in Hong Kong couldn’t improve. It’s intolerable and unacceptable.” The Chinese regime dismantled democracy in Hong Kong, which is in breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, it will pay a price for the action. 

Luke De Pulford, Commissioner of Conservative Party’s Human Rights Commission, researcher for Hong Kong Watch, who has visited Hong Kong during the anti-extradition movement, said it is hard to imagine how painful for Hongkongers to leave their hometown and come to a strange country.

Luke De Pulford, Commissioner of Conservative Party’s Human Rights Commission, researcher for Hong Kong Watch gave his speech. in London on June 12, 2022 (The Epoch Times, UK)

He also mentioned that some people claimed that “Hong Kong is dead” or “Hongkongers’ democracy movement is dead,” he admitted that he once felt “the evil side may have won,” but now, as he saw so many Hongkongers came to the rally, he is sure that the evil will never win.

Pulford criticized the Chinese Communist Party for violated its promise to Hong Kong. “The British government has provided the BNO visa assistance, but it is a surrender measure, we should urge the British government to take further action.”

Nathan Law Kwun-chung, former legislator, Deputy Chairman of Demosisto, mentioned that his former comrade-in-arms Joshua Wong Chi-fung is still in prison. Joshua Wong and Nathan Law have watched speeches by different political leaders, such as Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream.” Nathan Law said his dream is in Hong Kong. “My dream is with Tung Chung Public Housing Estate, my neighbors, my football teammates and Joshua Wong.”

Law Kwun-chung, former legislator, Deputy Chairman of Demosisto, he expects Hongkongers will continue to unite and strive for democracy and freedom. June 12, 2022  (The Epoch Times, UK)

Law hopes one day he can return to Hong Kong,  “Although this sounds kind of stupid and impractical, but I must have hope.” Seeing so many Hongkongers in the UK come to the rally, he expects Hongkongers to continue to unite and strive for democracy and freedom.