Revolt under umbrellas

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The protests being staged by residents of Hong Kong that is part of their demand for democratic elections has entered its fourth day with still no apparent moves from the government to yield, or even conciliate. Despite that, the number of participants continues to grow and, as of yesterday, television footages showed that tens of thousands have already joined and have apparently resigned themselves to whatever measures will be taken against them.

As the world knows, residents, or citizens of Hong Kong are not the same kind of Chinese people who have been born, grew up and continue to exist in the Chinese Mainland. For years, Hong Kongers had lived under the relatively free atmosphere allowed them by their British governors. Their existence then was almost as democratic as that which British citizens themselves enjoyed.

But the time came, in 1997, when Great Britain had to return Hong Kong to China as agreements in the past had provided. A lot of residents, anticipating exactly what is happening today, opted to move to other countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States. Businessmen brought their families and businesses to other Asian countries.

Majority, however, chose to stay, after they were assured that they would exist in what was pledged to be “One government, two systems.” For some time, things seemed to go on as they had before, until the prospect of elections loomed this year. This was when the residents found out that they could not nominate candidates, and that, if ever they did, their nominations would be subject to the approval of the mainland leaders.

That was what triggered what is now known as the “umbrella revolution”. Umbrellas, because that was what were needed to protect them from sun and rain as they gathered in Central Hong Kong to get their concern noted.

Let us help our neighbors in Hong Kong by praying that their “revolution” will not only be successful but also that it will be as bloodless as our own had been.*