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WORLD NEWS Friday 13 September 2019
Belting out protest song is latest act of Hong Kong movement

By EILEEN NG tons, a water cannon and
Associated Press pepper spray.
HONG KONG (AP) — Thou- Police official Kwok Chun-
sands of people belted out kit said police have reason
a new protest song at Hong to believe that radical pro-
Kong's shopping malls for a testers would break away
fourth straight night Thurs- from the march and carry
day, the latest act of resis- out destructive acts. He
tance highlighting the cre- noted that some activists
ativity of demonstrators in have made online vows
their months-long fight for to escalate violence if the
democratic freedoms in government fails to meet
the semi-autonomous Chi- their demands by Friday.
nese territory. Kwok told a news confer-
Activists and ordinary citi- ence that the proposed
zens, responding to online route would pass close to
calls, converged peaceful- high-risk buildings including
ly in at least six malls in the the police headquarters,
city to sing "Glory to Hong government offices and
Kong" in a respite from re- subway stations that have
cent violent clashes. More been a focus of protests in
protests are expected this recent weeks.
weekend, though on Thurs- Front coordinator Bonnie
day police banned one Demonstrators sing a theme song written by protestors "Glory to Hong Kong" at the Times Square Leung said violent clash-
planned rally, citing safety shopping mall in Hong Kong, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. es were unrelated to the
concerns. Associated Press group.
The protesters have ad- ing masks, the usual attire Sing?" Thursday it is appealing a "We create a safe zone
opted the song, penned of protesters. The songs have boosted police ban on its planned for people to protest. Our
anonymously, as their an- "This song has connected protesters' morale and march Sunday starting at marches are like Hong
them. The lyrics reflect pro- the people. We are sick highlighted their creativity Victoria Park. Kong people giving a
testers' vow not to surren- and tired of China, so we in inventing new ways to Police also banned the chance to the government
der despite a government don't want to sing the Chi- get their message heard group's Aug. 31 march but to end the crisis peacefully
agreement to withdraw a nese national anthem," and keep the pressure on protesters turned up any- but now, they have closed
proposed extradition law said student Melody Chen, the authorities. way. Violent clashes erupt- the valve to release public
that sparked the summer 17. The Civil Human Rights ed that night, with police anger. It's like declaring war
of unrest. Kelvin Chung, a 30-year-old Front, which has organized storming a subway car and to peaceful protesters," she
The bill, which would have accountant, said the mall several massive rallies, said hitting passengers with ba- told The Associated Press.q
allowed Hong Kong sus- singing showed that Hong
pects to be sent to the Kong people are peace-
mainland for trial, height- ful in their protests. He said
ened fears about Beijing's Beijing supporters earlier
growing influence over the Thursday sang the Chinese
former British colony. Pro- anthem and waved red
testers have widened their national flags at the mall,
demands to include direct and that he had joined the
elections for the city's lead- protest singing to show that
ers and police account- many Hong Kong citizens
ability. support the fight for demo-
At the swank IFC mall, cratic reforms.
the music reverberated "Most Hong Kong people
through the floors as over love this song. We think that
1,000 people repeat- it represents our hearts, our
edly sang the song, with people and our land," he
the melody played over said, adding that the peo-
speakers brought by a par- ple will not surrender until
ticipant. One man sponta- their demands are met.
neously played a piano in The song has been sung
the concourse in accom- at almost every protest
paniment. since it emerged Aug. 31,
Some put their hands to including during Tuesday's
their hearts, while others World Cup qualifier match
turned on the lights on their with Iran where Hong Kong
cellphones and lifted five soccer fans booed the Chi-
fingers in the air to repre- nese national anthem be-
sent the protesters' five de- fore kick-off.
mands. Protesters over the more
The crowd, including fami- than three months of dem-
lies with young children, onstrations have also sung
students and senior citizens, the Christian hymn "Sing
also cheered and chanted Hallelujah to the Lord" and
slogans for more than an the "Les Miserables" tune
hour. Many were not wear- "Do You Hear the People