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!
