There are numerous activist movements around the world where people with similar interests actively engage in bringing about political or social change. When it comes to activism, they are often closely related with politics, social problems such as race and gender, and religion, such as the ongoing dispute between the Sunni and the Shia in the Middle East. Activist movements and activism in general, are encouraged because they sometimes bring about positive social change. However, in many cases, governments view such movements as riots or protests that needs to be controlled or restricted in order to maintain their sovereignty. In the year 2014, I believe that one of the most significant activist movements occurred in Hong Kong.
The 2014 Hong Kong protests, also known as the Umbrella Movement, began in September when activists in Hong Kong protested outside the government headquarters when China's NPCSC (National People's Congress of Standing Committee) announced that they would postpone the proposed electoral reform. On the evening of September 26th, several hundred demonstrators breached a security barrier and entered the forecourt of the Central Government Complex. The police quickly came in and restricted the people's movement overnight, eventually removing them by force the next day. On September 28th, the Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement began their civil disobedience campaign immediately where protesters blocked east-west routes in northern Hong Kong Island. Police tactics, including the use of tear gas, and attacks on protesters by opponents triggered more citizens to join the protests. In mid-October, the number of protesters that joined the movement peaked at more than 100,000. The Chinese government blocked of all kinds of media that would possibly reveal the situation in Hong Kong in fear of international condemnation. Instead of finding a way to negotiate with the people of Hong Kong, the Chinese government once again took the coercive methods.
Since 1984, after Hong Kong was handed over by the Great Britain to People's Republic of China, Hong Kong has had a different political system from mainland China. Hong Kong is meant to have an independent judiciary system, and is also granted the right to have a high degree of autonomy in all matters. However, over the past several years, China has increasingly exercised its power on Hong Kong to an extent that initial obligations were made useless. China is currently under scrutiny of the international community including many neighboring countries and even the United Nations. Yet, the country is way too powerful for any foreign entity to step in and make a change about it. As a result, the issue regarding Hong Kong has been unsolved for the past several years.
I believe that activist movements are justified to an extent that their initially established goals are met. In the case of the 2014 Hong Kong protest, the movement is highly justified and is even subject to international support because the people of Hong Kong is trying to take back what was initially theirs. However, one thing I am always concerned about among any kind of protest or movement is the escalation of violence. Although there are some non-violence activist movements, most protest scenes escalate into violence where protesters fight against armed police and result in many casualties. The point of a protest is not simply to use violence, but to get across a message and show how desperate they are about achieving their goal. It is completely understandable that people use violence, or more harsh methods to get their point across, but I believe that it has to be controlled to a certain extent.
The 2014 Hong Kong protests, also known as the Umbrella Movement, began in September when activists in Hong Kong protested outside the government headquarters when China's NPCSC (National People's Congress of Standing Committee) announced that they would postpone the proposed electoral reform. On the evening of September 26th, several hundred demonstrators breached a security barrier and entered the forecourt of the Central Government Complex. The police quickly came in and restricted the people's movement overnight, eventually removing them by force the next day. On September 28th, the Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement began their civil disobedience campaign immediately where protesters blocked east-west routes in northern Hong Kong Island. Police tactics, including the use of tear gas, and attacks on protesters by opponents triggered more citizens to join the protests. In mid-October, the number of protesters that joined the movement peaked at more than 100,000. The Chinese government blocked of all kinds of media that would possibly reveal the situation in Hong Kong in fear of international condemnation. Instead of finding a way to negotiate with the people of Hong Kong, the Chinese government once again took the coercive methods.
Since 1984, after Hong Kong was handed over by the Great Britain to People's Republic of China, Hong Kong has had a different political system from mainland China. Hong Kong is meant to have an independent judiciary system, and is also granted the right to have a high degree of autonomy in all matters. However, over the past several years, China has increasingly exercised its power on Hong Kong to an extent that initial obligations were made useless. China is currently under scrutiny of the international community including many neighboring countries and even the United Nations. Yet, the country is way too powerful for any foreign entity to step in and make a change about it. As a result, the issue regarding Hong Kong has been unsolved for the past several years.
I believe that activist movements are justified to an extent that their initially established goals are met. In the case of the 2014 Hong Kong protest, the movement is highly justified and is even subject to international support because the people of Hong Kong is trying to take back what was initially theirs. However, one thing I am always concerned about among any kind of protest or movement is the escalation of violence. Although there are some non-violence activist movements, most protest scenes escalate into violence where protesters fight against armed police and result in many casualties. The point of a protest is not simply to use violence, but to get across a message and show how desperate they are about achieving their goal. It is completely understandable that people use violence, or more harsh methods to get their point across, but I believe that it has to be controlled to a certain extent.