Parting the Protesting “Seas” in Hong Kong

Last week, a million protesters marched and protested in the streets in protest of Hong Kong’s proposed legislation that would allow extraditions to mainland China. In 1997, Britain returned Hong Kong to China in and the territory has since operated under a “one country, two systems” arrangement that allows Hong Kong to keep its own institutions. But critics say that Beijing’s supporters have been chipping away at the independence of Hong Kong’s judiciary and news media.1 The rioters were protesting the extradition because they enjoy a more civil approach to punishment for crimes in Hong Kong and did not want to be sent to China where punishment is much more severe. Hong Kong also currently enjoys freedoms not seen on the mainland. They can vote, protest, and speak freer than those who live in China. A recent article, titled “Hong Kong's protesters used low-tech street smarts to smash China's powerful techno-authoritarianism”, pointed out that riot officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets to repel the protesters carrying umbrellas and hurling bricks, bottles and, in some cases, their umbrellas at the officers.1 Umbrellas?  Yes, umbrellas, were being used by the protestors to deflect tear gas being sprayed on them, and perhaps equally important to the protestors, to hide their identities from government cameras.2  In this photo taken on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, protestors wear masks and helmets and hold umbrellas to protect their identities and prov...
Source: JEMS Operations - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Administration and Leadership Operations Source Type: news