Solidarity for HK Journalists
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What is this event about?
Human chain is a form of demonstration in which people link arms or hands as a show of political solidarity. It was used by the people in Germany, United State, France, Taiwan, India, etc, and of course the iconic Baltic Way in 1989. Hongkongers also organized a human chain across 2 major territories during 2019 protest, which was covered by medias around the world.
This human chain event is a part of a month-long, nationwide campaign to support all journalists in Hong Kong. Hongkongers from different cities are organizing more than 10 assemblies across the UK, from London to Aberdeen, to show our support. The interesting part is that this is not a coordinated action, all events are organized by different people. We would like to to keep Hongkongers united, and let them know that there’re a lot of likeminded people around them, even we are now abroad. Alternatively, we want other citizens in this city to acknowledge the crackdown of Hong Kong, and to remind them the importance and fragility of Freedom of Press. |
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Exhibition
1.16 Edinburgh Solidarity with Press Freedom Statement
In the summer of 2019, Hong Kong was amid one of the largest demonstrations happened in human history. Throughout the conflicts between the civil mass and the ruling government, we came to the revelation that evidence could be invented, and that facts could be twisted by the authorities into a certain narrative against our civil society. It was only at that moment where we finally realise we could not take the truth for granted - it must be sought after and fought for.
2019 was a time where Hong Kong still retained a certain degree of freedom. We had media outlets like Apple Daily and the Stand News, and their passionate journalists who were willing to risk their own safety to unveil the truth that Hong Kong deserves. Unfortunately, the Hong Kong National Security Law has led to the incarcerations of many illustrious media figures and proprietors. Of whom, in the past, prospered in a city where the freedom of the press was protected - only now to be stripped away of that privilege and prosecuted by the communist regime of which the mandate to rule is always absent. Our civil society organisations, such as the Professional Teachers’ Union, which had had decades of reputable history in rendering services to HK citizens, went into dissolution last year. A fate that was shared among many other civil organisations; a fearful fate deliberately, systematically imposed upon our citizens.
As a member of a civil society, we are entitled to the complete exercise of freedom of speech and of course, the freedom of the press. Having the voice to provide critical reflection on social issues affirms the progress to more transparent governance - in which we believe, is extremely important in protecting basic human rights. Those who speak and seek the truth should never be harassed, harmed, or threatened by anyone or any group, not even the political party in power. Since 2014 the pressure imposed upon the press in HK has been multiplied. Our journalists stood their ground, nonetheless. They served as sentinels to the integrity of our civil society and protected the legal rights of the protesters in each of the social movements. If the cost of maintaining a so-called ‘peaceful,’ ‘silent’ society is the exile or imprisonment of these fine souls, then it is a cost too overwhelming; a cost so unjustified because such silence is caused by nothing but mere, violence.
We come forth today together to commemorate the spirit of journalism, the value of freedom of the press and most importantly, our shared memory of the fight. We will be forming a human chain with our flashlights, to stand with those who dare to speak the truth, to those who are locked up in prisons thousands of miles away. No matter how far apart our hearts are closer than ever. No matter how dark it might get we know to trust who we are, and to live the legacy of a city we took pride so much, to the absolute fullest. So let the flames begin, let the flames take us to the people, take us to the world, and take us home.
Free HK Media
1月16日 · FHK英國消息【 使館譴責當冇到 愛丁堡人鏈繼續聲援新聞自由 】 上星期曼徹斯特聲援香港新聞自由活動期間發生肢體碰撞後,中國駐英使館隨即譴責,但未有嚇怕一眾海外港人。剛過去的週末,在英港人先後在倫敦及愛丁堡舉辦聲援香港新聞自由活動,兩地活動均多人響應參與。其中,有港人在愛丁堡發起人鏈活動,吸引數以百計港人及當地市民參與。 活動從當地星期日(2022年1月16日)下午1時開始,先以街站形式派發傳單及宣讀大會宣言,並邀請曾到香港採訪抗爭運動的自由記者Dave在活動期間發言。 下午2時開始主辦單位帶領約300多名參與者築成人鏈,並在蘇格蘭國立紀錄館前的街道向兩邊伸延,吸引當地市民圍觀。而人鏈內亦不乏當地市民,他們表示清楚知道香港的現況。另一邊廂,參與活動的港人亦帶備文宣及旗幟,並大喊口號增加士氣。 活動氣氛大致平靜,有支持中國人士經過活動現場擾攘,但並無發生任何衝突。 記者:Pita 相片來源:愛丁堡人鏈主辦單位 |
【1.16 Edinburgh Solidarity with Press Freedom】
300 HKers and locals participated in the Jan 16 assembly and human chain at the Iron Duke, Edinburgh. They voiced solidarity with journalists, and demonstrated a shared determination in the defence of democracy in the UK. As a member of a civil society, we are entitled to the complete exercise of freedom of speech and indeed, freedom of the press. Having the voice to provide critical reflection on social issues affirms the progress to more transparent governance - in which we believe, is extremely vital in protecting basic human rights. If the cost of maintaining a 'peaceful', 'silent' society is the exile and imprisonments of those fine souls who deem it worthwhile to seek after the truth, then this is undoubtedly a cost too overwhelming not only for Hong Kong, but for all the civil societies across the world. For such a silence is caused by nothing but mere, violence. We have come forth to show our uncompromising will and passion against oppression on freedom. May this passion for truth ablaze the darkness before us. A flame that will take us to the world, take us to the people, and take us home. |