Can you hear the people sing?

Over the past 6 months, no matter how much “noise” the Hong Kong people tried to create, whether it was through peaceful rallies, or 2 million people marching on the streets. They were met with lies and excuses from the government, continually ignoring the people’s concerns. Instead of listening and addressing the issues proposed, the government takes an oppressive approach, using jail sentences and physical violence to coerce the voices of people into silence, and ultimately, submission. When the protesters fought back, the police only escalates their brutality. Abusing their power and violating the arrestees’ rights to unleash terror on those their opposes the government.

As the tensions reached its boiling point when images and videos of the violence that took place on two Hong Kong university campuses. Where students defended their grounds, symbolizing the protection of the truth, the right to knowledge and the freedom of expression. As police armoured vehicles attempt to ram through the barricades but were met with hurls of petrol bombs, the haunting images of Tiananmen Square evoked in many of the older generations’ minds.

After everything that had occurred, this past weekend was election for district councils, an election that Pro-Beijing candidates dominated 4 years ago. Regardless, many Hong Kong people came out early to vote, using this single ballot to emphasize their concerns of their future and a way to voice that they won’t stand aside to see their government taking advantage of its own people.

The election received a 70% voters turnout, while the pan-democratic candidates were elected for 85% of the available seats.

siLeNt mAjOriTy from HongKong

Pro-Beijing and Pro-Democracy seats won – 2015 vs 2019 from HongKong

Many of the older generations also came out to vote, despite many of them aren’t politically active. The following recording of an interview shows how the young protesters have touched many hearts with their actions and willingness to be on the forefront of the protests.

An old man spoke about why he decided to vote for the first time in yesterday’s election. from HongKong

Despite the success for the pan-democratic candidates, there were some questionable behaviours taking place at various polling stations and rumours of ballot stuffing and invalid ballots being counted.

Hong Kong District Council election: Pro-democracy candidate complains problematic ballots were accepted as valid

[Vote scandel Live] A district in kwai Ching, one of the workers disqualified 500+ votes without showing the reason of disqualification, furthermore also qualified 300 votes for pro-beijing party without showing them why it was qualified from HongKong

Riot police officers are attempting to escort 2 poll boxes into a polling station, after the election has just ended; A suspected election fraud is budding. from HongKong

There are also concerns with regards to police escorting ballots to polling stations, drawing criticism whether this is even legal.

Regardless, the district council election was a confirmation that the people of Hong Kong cares and their spirits cannot be diminished. However their fight for freedom is still a long journey as attention begins to switch back to those still trapped at PolyU.

Besieged PolyU student responds to protesters with phone flashlight from HongKong