Why we march, again

My small group of 4 spent roughly 7 hours on the march yesterday. We arrived at the lawn at Victoria Park around 2:45 PM and waited patiently.  We were able to get out of the park around 4:05 PM.  We were stuck in Great George Street for almost an hour without making much progress.  We then decided to make a detour, went out to Gloucester Road, came back through East Point Road, and rejoined the march at Sogo. We finally arrived at Charter Road around 7:30 PM.  

There were so many people.  From a bookshop on a high floor in Wanchai, I was able to take a glimpse of what the crowd looked like from above.  It was really impressive.  There must be hundreds of thousands.  The exact number os not important.  What is important is that there are so many people.  Who marched patiently, orderly, and by and large, peacefully. To send another message to the establishment.  That we are not happy with what they are doing.  That we want and deserve a proper investigation of this whole mess which started with the government’s proposal of the law of extradition.  That we want and deserve more open and fair elections. That we want and deserve more political freedom.  

I am opposed to violent protests.  But it is the right of the citizens to march peacefully for political freedom.  I am so glad that we can return to what we HongKongers have been very proud of - peaceful marches where we can bring our children and elderlies.  

At Victoria Park I met an elderly gentlemen who is 89 years old.  He said he was at the July 1 march but it was very hot, and he has not come out to march again.  This is the first time since the summer that he has come to the march. 

At one point, riot police stood menacingly on the side, blocking some streets.  The atmosphere was tense.  Some protesters hurled insults.  I think it was unnecessary and it made us nervous. 

A moment later, police vans blocking the path of some marchers on Gloucester Road drive away, drawing loud cheers.  The police seems to be making some effort to show welcoming restraint.

Many young ladies are leading the chants enthusiastically.  That is consistent with the more prominent role that females seem to be taking in this movement.  

The creative and artistic contributions to the movement is very pleasing and encouraging.  Through many interviews, talks, articles, and books, it is evident that many people in the movement are very serious and thoughtful.  This is far from the picture that many people are painting - that the protesters are young and ignorant, and manipulated by foreign governments and evil people.  They are giving too little credit to our young people. 

Throughout the march, before and after, there is so much solidarity among the people.  People helping each other, paying the bus fare for people, warning each other about roadblocks, sharing resources, just being kind to each other in general.  Some people keeping saying cynically that protesters are paid by foreign money.  What I see on the street is that most marchers are motivated by a sense of solidarity.  

This is more reason to shun violence and embrace peace.  Creativity, beauty and elegance need space and a nurturing environment to grow and thrive.  Violence begets evil and ugliness.  Given the space, creativity will bring more subtle but lasting changes.  Let us give our young people the peaceful environment to grow.  

Many of them may be too idealistic and impatient, with insufficient sense of history, and the time and effort necessary for real change.  But many are also very thoughtful, knowing well the risk they are taking and the price they are paying.  

Change and history are made by these people.  They are the ones who move the society forward.  

God is on the side of the oppressed, weak and poor.  Not the oppressor, rich and powerful.  We just have to stick to peace, justice and love.