Pro-Democracy Rally Shakes Up Hong Kong and China
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) "We have prayed for Hong Kong but also for democracy in China". This is what Father Michele Camastra, missionary with the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions (PIME) in Hong Kong told AsiaNews before joining other citizens in Hong Kong in the traditional July 1 rally that marks the end of British rule in the former colony. Braving heat, humidity and the threat of a typhoon people poured into the streets by the thousands in order to show their dissatisfaction with the political line taken by Mainland China and the Autonomous Territory's governor. AsiaNews assembled the reactions of some of PIME missionaries present at the peaceful rally.
"The football field where the joint Catholic-Protestant prayer session took place was full. During the meeting we prayed and chanted Taizé songs. "Monsignor Zen and a protestant minister spoke right after the reading from the Scriptures and led the prayer session," Father Siso said. "I was moved by the civility and the composure of the people," he added. The rallying point at Victoria Park was scheduled for 3 p.m. and lasted about 40 minutes before the march began. "In his speech Monsignor Zen reaffirmed that it is as just to demonstrate in favour of democracy as it is to celebrate the return of Hong Kong to the motherland," Father Giorgio Pasini said. According to him there were more than 300,000 people present. "Our bishop once again condemned both the School Bill for penalising Catholic schools and Beijing's attempts to block any reform that would grant universal suffrage and permit the direct election to the post of governor of Hong Kong".
"There is lots and lots of people," Father Michele Camastra said on the phone whilst he was there. "I can see young people, older people, even people in wheelchair, all of whom are braving the weather conditions just to take part in a demonstration that is so important for Hong Kong." He adds that "there must be really important reasons if people are prepared for a second year in a row to take to the streets putting up with all sorts of discomfort just to protest when instead they could be in air-conditioned shopping centres or be at home resting. There is no one more deaf than someone who refuses to listen". The mercury reached 34 degrees Celsius today in Hong Kong with a humidity index of 67%.
"We have everyone's support, including those who did not take part in the march. Whether they are people going by their business or looking out of office building windows, they are all united in denouncing the government for its indifference toward this people". Contrary to yesterday's worse case scenarios, Hong Kong citizens seem to have come in great numbers. "The Democratic Party said that what counts is the quality and not the quantity of the turnout. Last year's demonstration was massive because it was the first time that people were protesting against the government for something Art. 23 of the Anti-Subversion Bill that they really resented. This year, there are more demands, more critical opinions, more rights wanted."
Although the pro-Democracy movement had urged people to avoid provoking Beijing by chanting "return power to the people," it was still a favourite of the crowd. "I think that pro-democracy activists should be careful for they by silencing the heartfelt desires of the people they do what the anti-Democracy forces have done so far. That is: Tell the people to shut up"
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30/06/2020 12:43
