Hong Kong Protests

About

The Hong Kong protests are a series of ongoing pro-democracy movements that have been escalating since the 1980s. The protests gained significant momentum in 2014 with the Umbrella Movement, which demanded genuine universal suffrage. However, the situation intensified in 2019 when a proposed extradition bill sparked massive demonstrations. Despite the bill's withdrawal, protests continued, focusing on broader demands such as an independent investigation into police actions and universal suffrage. Protesters have faced increased surveillance and repression, including the use of facial recognition technology and a ban on face masks. Despite these challenges, protesters have adapted with creative countermeasures like using masks and dismantling surveillance infrastructure. The protests highlight tensions between Hong Kong's desire for autonomy and China's increasing control. Human rights organizations have criticized the government's actions, emphasizing the need to respect assembly and expression rights. The protests have become a symbol of resistance against state power and technological surveillance.