English teachers who live in Mong Kok and decided to show their support for the protest in their neighbourhood on Oct 1. (Laurel Chor/Coconuts Media)
In a statement on Monday, CY Leung echoed an earlier criticism of the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong, claiming that “external forces” are at work. He asserted that there has been “[obvious] participation by people, organisations from outside of Hong Kong, in politics in Hong Kong, over a long time. This is not the only time when they do it, and this is not an exception either.”
Hong Kong, as a port and ex-colony, has always been a hub for migrants and expatriates. Some transient workers slip in and out for meetings, while others stay for decades, getting permanent residency after seven years (unless they’re foreign domestic workers, of course) and becoming embedded in the city’s social fabric.
While the majority of foreigners have stayed away from the pro-democracy protests, there is a notable support network for the Umbrella Movement among expats. Given Leung’s claim of a foreign link and allegations of US CIA involvement, the controversy of foreigners taking part in the protests is clear, albeit far fetched.
A foreign protester cheers after the crowds successfully occupied the tunnel on Lung Wo Rd on Oct. 14.
David, a kindergarten teacher from the UK, has been following the protests with increasing concern. “[When] the triads attacked and started molesting the female students, I’ve been here pretty much since that moment. I was there on [Oct. 3] when we drove the triads out of here, I was there on the Saturday night when we defended against the police coming in.”
David says he has born witness to many incidents during his participation, “I saw the people who were supposed to be triads come in, destroy the tents, go around the corner and shake hands with the police. I saw that with my own eyes. It’s not just about following the media. The only way I can form an opinion of this is to actually be here. Sitting in Admiralty drinking Earl Grey tea is not the way to form an opinion. In Mong Kok you can learn much, much more.”
Having lived here for 20 years with his son and local wife, David says he no longer considers himself an expat. However, he was keen to point out the importance of having a foreign presence at the protests. “If I can be here and make a policeman think twice about hitting a student, make them feel a little bit uncomfortable about doing it in front of a foreigner, then it’s well worth the risk.”
David (middle left), Dr. Tse (middle right)
Dr. John Tse, a professor of psychology at City University, has been joining the protests as often as he can. He stands staunchly in favor of support from the expat community, suggesting that, ideally, they would become more involved. “With their presence, Hong Kong people can be a little bit more secure. I’m afraid that the day when expats are gone, then dark days are looming.”
Conan Yu (right) with friend Carl
Seventeen-year-old Conan Yu has forsaken his job to join the protests. The allegations of “external force” made little to no impression on him. “China is lying in saying that America and the other countries are helping. It is rubbish.”
Like many others, he is happy for the protests to gain as much exposure as possible. His hope is that this would convert the self-proclaimed “silent majority” that does not support the protests, saying, “It’s great if the people [in other countries] see it.”
However, Yau Ma Tei retiree Tony is not convinced that foreigners have a place in the protests. “Expats dont participate,” he said. “It’s not their business, it’s our own business.”
Expats often feel removed from local conflicts, unwilling to impose their ideologies on another’s cultural heritage. On one hand, the Beijing press, lambasting the involvement of foreigners, could use such images to fuel their propaganda, whilst on the other, local demonstrators seem happy to see foreigners taking an interest in their cause and reporting what they see and hear. With all actions there are risks, but while this might not be an expatriate’s fight, helping others to achieve something you insist on and expect for yourself is rarely ignoble.
Photos: First and second by Laurel Chor/Coconuts Media, third and fourth by Adrian O’Sullivan
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