I’m a Singaporean, a poet, street photographer, and a literature professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
My students have told me they’re boycotting classes indefinitely. I am proud of them. How can one not be moved?
We can only occupy what’s central to our heart: love, peace.
This was what I saw on the streets of Mongkok on the afternoon of 30th Sept.
Messages pasted on the side of a bus. The tape is removable and non-destructive.
Delivering supplies to protesters.
Securing a supplies tent.
Labour of love.
Film crew on the rooftop of the entrance to Mongkok MTR Station.
The message.
Determination.
There’re really people cleaning the streets! This is civil disobedience.
The scene at Argyle Street.
At one point, the road needed to be cleared for supply trucks.
They held hands to clear the road.
The scene at Nathan Road.
No violence. A reminder by a protester.
Translation: I love Hong Kong. My sentiments exactly.
In Dec this year, I would have lived here for ten years.
My son has spent more than half his life here.
My daughter was born here.
Note that no spray paint has been used at any point.
They used chalk.
Everything is non-destructive.
This is civil disobedience at work.
Translation: treasured students, we love you. My sentiments exactly.
The rest of the photographs were taken by my ten-year-old son (who was standing next to me as I was writing this).
Yes – it’s the kind of protest you could bring your kid to.
I saw a few families sitting on the road with kids younger than five.
I want my son to watch and learn.
My son will eventually return to Singapore to do his national service.
He’ll hold a rifle, learn to throw a grenade and experience the effects of tear gas as part of his military training.
These are things I’ve done as a Singaporean twenty years ago.
I want him to know what it means to love one’s country.
Democracy – that’s an important word I’ll teach my son.
Medical station.
A box containing yellow ribbons, with instructions as to how to wear them.
A street exhibition.
Stay safe and don’t forget to bring your umbrellas, people of Hong Kong!
Hong Kong Lucida 
Reblogged this on Toddler In Tow From Canada and commented:
An important story to be passed on.
Cheers!
Amid bias news reports and streams of skewed opinions, this was a refreshingly post. Even continents away, my thoughts are with Hong Kong, and I wish I could be home right now. Thank you, for bringing a piece of that to me.
Cheers! My students are teaching me.
Thanks for this post, I hope all my Hong Kong friends are safe. Fingers crossed!
🙂
❤
I was watching the news this morning on the mainland and they tried to portray the protests as being part of a National Day celebration. It’s laughable and sad at the same time.
Yes – it’s unbelievable.
It reminds me of how much the protests in Turkey last year were an emotional rollercoster for me…
May they be safe and luckier than their Turkish counterparts!…
I really do hope so! Thanks!
Amazing again! The protesters are putting so much effort in making sure there’s no destruction and violence. It’s really kind of beautiful – and again, not what Australian news stations are showing at all!
Well, it has turned ugly… with triad members attacking the students…
“…treasured students, we love you. My sentiments exactly.”
(words fail) T_____________T
btw, not sure if you’ve seen this page already. stunning images
https://www.facebook.com/GaryTysonphotographer
A fascinating portfolio Eddie. Your capture of some of the peaceful aspects of seeking to have democratic voices heard is both vivid and heartfelt.
Thank you! There’s a rhythm to it, I suspect. It sometimes gets rough in the evenings.