ON SATURDAY, Broad Street, Reading, saw residents protesting as part of a world-wide series of action protesting human rights violations against Hong Kongers.
The Hong Kong diaspora and support organisations took part in a silent protest in cities across the UK as well as those in Australia, Canada, the US, and Taiwan.
It joined silent protests in Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Nottingham, among others, which saw protestors take to the streets.
Protestors wore white masks to demonstrate unity and convey the message that “anyone can be the Hong Kong 47.”
It follows the arrest of 47 people in Hong Kong in 2021, who were then detained until the beginning of their trial in February this year.
They were arrested after organising or taking part in unofficial elections for a pro-democracy candidate in council elections and subsequently charged with “conspiracy to commit subversion.”
Protestors argue that they were unlawfully detained and will be subject to an unfair trial without a jury.
They also allege that the Chinese Communist Party has breached the Joint Declaration between China and the UK through “crackdowns” on democracy and human rights, as a number of those on trial either hold British National Overseas status or are related to UK citizens.
Organisers are aiming to inform the public about the specifics of the Hong Kong 47 and encourage residents to push for the UK to impose sanctions by contacting MPs.
Chloe, one of the organisers who fled Hong Kong to the UK, said: “As freedom in Hong Kong is diminished, Hongkonger diasporas across the world continue to stand in solidary with pro-democracy movement and those imprisoned for the cause.”
“Britain has not joined the US in imposing sanctions over the Hong Kong National Security Law, we urge the UK government to implement sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials for these serious human rights abuses so they do not go unnoticed or unpunished.”
A further protest is now due to take place in London on Sunday, April 22, with action planned outside the South Bank’s National Theatre, the London Eye, and in Parliament Square.
The protest is organised by a number of groups supporting the diaspora of Hong Kong, including Hongkongers in Britain and Reading UK Stands with Hong Kong.
