Communists Burn ‘Devil Crazy Man’ Trump Effigy
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The Asian outlet Coconuts noted that, in contrast to the U.S. flag, “Treating the Chinese flag similarly in Hong Kong carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.”
The small number of people and angry nature of the mob contrasted significantly to the positive atmosphere at last week’s Thanksgiving rallies organized by pro-democratic activists. In those, attendees waved American flags and shouted “thank you,” holding posted of President Trump as the iconic fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, which Trump had posted on Twitter without context earlier that week.
The Hong Kong protest movement has repeatedly expressed sympathies for America and the greater West, including former colonial power Britain. Protesters insist they do not want their free society to fall into the hands of communist China, which severely represses speech, religious worship, and nearly every other individual activity.
Protests began in June against a proposed law that would have allowed China to extradite anyone present in Hong Kong, regardless of Chinese citizenship, if Beijing accused them of violating Chinese laws, which do not apply on Hong Kong soil.
The protesters demanded a withdrawal of the bill, which the government granted in September, and four other demands: the end of calling the protests “riots,” freedom for imprisoned protesters, an investigation into police brutality, and the right to directly elect their lawmakers. With chants of “five key demands, not one less,” protesters have insisted they will not go home if the Hong Kong government fails to address their concerns, noting that the government’s brutal crackdown on their assemblies has necessitated the other demands.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has repeatedly refused to address the four remaining demands. On Tuesday, she held a press conference where she asserted that her government would follow any sanctions imposed on Washington by Beijing and denouncing the Hong Kong Act as “completely unnecessary and unjustifiable.”
“Hong Kong’s human rights and freedom are protected by the Basic Law,” she said, referring to the constitution of the city. “In fact, I want to ask which aspect of Hong Kong residents’ freedom was eroded? We have press freedom, we have freedom to participate in rallies and marches. We have religious freedom. We have a high degree of freedom in many aspects.”