Try the Moral High Ground - all of us

The vast majority of the protesters are peaceful, rational, and non-violent.  It is a small minority who are so frustrated that they feel a more forceful approach is needed.  Even when they used force, they were relatively restrained and targeted - aiming mostly at symbols of authority that they feel were already discredited.  However, the force that they use is providing the establishment an excuse to discredit the whole protest movement, and for the police to use brutal, overwhelming violence to suppress the protests.  If the protesters can refrain from all violence, it will further strengthen the moral authority of the protest movement.  It will help to bring more of the people behind the movement.  It will help to bring more people out.  

The police do have an obligation to maintain order in society.  They do have the authority to stop and arrest people who break the law.  The problem is when some of them use excessive force.  Some of them seem to pursue protesters even when the protesters are leaving the scene.   They sometimes seem to be slow in protecting the protesters and even bystanders from being attacked.  Some of the senior officers make very lame excuses when questioned.  Some of them display a hostile attitude towards even peaceful protesters.  It is understandable that the police is under a lot of pressure in these days.   However, if the police can refrain from unnecessary force, demonstrate that they are even handed, and are truly professional in carrying out their duties - they will surely earn the respect of the vast majority of the Hong Kong people.  And they will feel much less pressure in dealing with the situation.  It will also help to focus attention on the real political issues, rather than the police force itself. 

The key, ultimately, is the government.  Even though they have stopped pushing for the extradition bill, they have refused to withdraw the bill, as desired by so many.  Many people believe it is a matter of “face”.  If so, it is so very sad that the whole society is plunged into unnecessary continued conflict because of the “face” of one person.  It appears that many people are angry because the government is so condescending, dismissive, and intransigent.  It just does not appear to be sincere in admitting that it has mismanaged the whole thing.  If only the government can come out and sincerely apologise, try to understand why so many people are so angry, and try to work with the people to move things forward - the situation would be so very different.  Most people do understand Hong Kong is part of China, that we are still under many constraints, that many things cannot be pushed too quickly.  But we do need to see the government as working with us under the constraints, rather than working against us to tighten the constraints even further.  

While I understand I may be appealing to blocked ears, I still have to plead with all parties to take the moral high ground, to be magnanimous.   For practical reasons, let us start with ourselves.   If we feel we are in the right, let us start to forgive.   If we hold the power, let us start to forgive.  That is what God did.  If God had not forgiven us, there is no redemption for anyone of us.  Since God has forgiven us, let us try to forgive each other.  If we focus on the negative part of human nature, people often behave according to our expectations, and the spiral goes downwards to mutual destruction.  If we, instead, focus more on the positive aspects of human beings, people may also respond accordingly, towards a happier, sunnier outcome.