By Dean Tan ’18, News Writer

Love, peace, and politeness.

Scholars, students, and umbrellas.

Though not quite indicative of tear gas, pepper spray, and barricades, these words have labeled the reality of the Occupy Central movement currently sweeping through Hong Kong. In response to the recent proposal on electoral reform declared by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC), the Hong Kong Federations of students and scholars, joined by large numbers of other civilians as well, have taken to the streets in a markedly organized, tidy, and nonviolent protest. Backed by the majority of Hong Kong civilians as well as much of the international community, this movement has set out to preserve not only universal suffrage in the upcoming election but the identity of the Hong Kong governmental system.

Beginning in September of 2014, the Occupy Central movement sprung out of popular disagreement to the proposed electoral reform set out by the NPCSC. This new reform will disallow civil nomination and restrict popular elections to select candidates elected by the committee. In turn, candidates deemed unfavorable by Beijing authorities will not be presented to the public in voting. By restricting the “one person, one vote” principle of universal suffrage, Beijing has encroached on Hong Kong’s political power as the future Chief Executive of Hong Kong would be someone hand-picked by Beijing. Having been debated ever since Hong Kong rejoined the People’s Republic of China in 1997, the idea of “one China, two systems” has been prevalent as Hong Kong, through a Special Administrative Region of China, maintains some sovereignty in choosing its own officials. This proposed reform marks Beijing’s increasing influence and control over Hong Kong.

In response, the Occupy Central movement has stepped up to resist the impending policy change as the voice and actions of the general Hong Kong people. Beginning on September 22, 2014 with the Hong Kong Federation of Students, in conjunction with Scholarism, an activist group of high school students, students staged a boycott of classes to protest outside of government headquarters. Following initial forced removal of protesters on the 26^th and 27^th, more demonstrators from the Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement, led by Benny Tai, began to organize. Further police action, notably the usage of tear gas, pepper spray, and several arrests only incited more of the general public to join in the protests. Forming barricades, blocking off roads, and setting up tents enforced protester presence in the streets. With conflicts with anti-occupy protesters and police, violence has increased with the presence of armed protesters and triad criminals. Government talks, however, have opened up in attempts to dismantle the protests.

The Occupy Central protests have been remarkably organized, well communicated, and adherent to their nonviolent ways. Primarily through the messaging apps WhatsApp and and FireChat, in which encrypted messages are not subject to government malware, protesters have efficiently communicated to organize. Water bottles, gas masks, and medical stations have been set up and distributed among protesters. Most notably, protesters have cleaned up after events, separating trash and recyclables, as well as posting signs apologizing for any inconveniences caused and denouncing vandalism that may have occurred.

The protests in and of themselves have been quite unique. The signature name Umbrella Revolution, as the movement is widely known on social media, refers to the colorful and fluid swaths of umbrellas donned by protesters to shield from tear gas. Erin Viola ’16 said, “A close friend of mine lives in Hong Kong and she remarked how civil the protests are. The young protesters sing ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ from Les Mis and occupy the streets.” In addition, as Mr. Bitler observed, “I think the most remarkable aspect of the recent Hong Kong protests is the raw courage of the protestors – as they know China might react harshly or violently to what they are fighting for.”

Though the protesting has had an effect on Hong Kong daily life, the performance and ethics of the protesters serve as an example of how organization and communication can lead to efficiency. That being said, the future of the protests looks rather bleak. As Jason Li ’15 states, “I would say that they have underestimated the will of the Communist party and overestimated their own strength—classic herd mentality. Xi Jinping knows that if the party acquiesces to even one of the demands of the protesters, every province and city in the PRC will start protesting for democracy with that precedent. Compared to the protesters, the party has nearly unlimited political, economic, and military resources, and if worst comes to worst, a degree of bloodshed would not be too surprising. In other words, they never even had a chance.”

Though the protests may have little effect on the policies of the upcoming election or on the daily lives of Newark Academy students, it has certainly given us all something to think about. As Mr. Bitler commented, “Historically, freedom is not free and usually must be fought for (as Americans did in the Revolutionary War). Thus most Americans, and also most in the Newark Academy community, would, I think, be supportive of those in Hong Kong who wish to preserve and expand their relative independence and freedoms.”