Thursday, 2 October 2014

Wednesday is National Day in mainland China.  It is also a holiday in Hongkong.  Thursday is a traditional holiday in Chinese culture, when families perform yearly tomb cleaning.

This is the scene three blocks from my house in the heart of Causeway Bay, just outside Sogo department store.

I added a sign today that said: "Dear Hongkong, The FREE world is watching.  We support YOU."

Less than 250m into the blocked streets from Central (the financial district and home of my office building), the first supply depot appears.  Umbrellas became a symbol of the protests after the first (and only) violent clashes with police.  Students used umbrellas to protect against pepper spray and tear gas.

Starting today, there was a huge increase in signage with slogans and messages throughout the journey home.  I think "689" is the number of the parliment bill that will prevent direct, free elections in Hongkong.  The new system will allow Beijing to vet potential Chief Executive Officer (CEO) candidates.  (Yes, the top executive post in the local government is really called the "CEO of Hongkong".)  Students and protesters are calling for the public to have full control over the selection of their next CEO, during the 2017 elections.  Hongkong has an unusual political system that is found nowhere else in the world in entirety.  It has borrowed bits and bobs from other places to creates its own system.

This is a short clip of a tall office building along the main expressway, panning down to the occupying protesters.

Another replaced sign with my new favourite artwork to represent the protest.

Up close for that logo that starting appearing today.  I have seen the Chinese version also.

The Chinese version with characters for "Hope".

"Students refuelling, Hongkong refuelling!"

Information posted today with demands and instructions.

Starting today, signs were posted on the side of the road in various languages.  All say: "Support democracy in Hongkong."

This is my favourite banner, located in the heart of the protest.  "Hongkong, Gas Up!"

Some beautiful chalking work.

Here is some artwork hung by students today.  The Chinese character is "jia" ("home" in English).

There is a separate team dediced to recycling garbage around the clock.  Each day this pile grows larger, but no more dirty or disorganized.

Needs no caption for the Red Cross of Hongkong.

I saw this artwork at the very end of my walk tonight.