Mother's Day in Hong Kong, 2020

From Photographer Lam Yik-fei:

"On a day in November 2019, more than 80 people were mentioned in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts late at 11pm because of their participation in the anti-extradition law protests.

Among them, a 17-year-old was charged with rioting. When most of the defendants left the court shying away from the cameras with the umbrellas brought by their families and supporters, the mother of this 17-year-old young man chose to walk out of the court with pride and their family agreed to be interviewed by foreign TV stations.

The mother held her son's arm and her son tapped her on the shoulder. Their support to each other was beyond words.

Since he was under 18, I needed the parent's consent to use his photo. Outside the court, his mother said, "Certainly, for he did nothing wrong."

I wish her and many other mothers, especially those separated from their children this year, a Happy Mother's Day."

Source: Lam Yik Fei's Facebook #May10 #MothersDay

#PoliceState
4 People Fined for Violating Gathering Ban, Despite 8 Being the Limit

1652 | Cityplaza, Tai Koo
Police entered Cityplaza for the second time at around 1530 to disperse crowds on-site. They stopped and searched four people, claiming that they have violated the Gathering Ban and issued a $2000 fine to each person, with three of them being members of the same family, while the remaining person stating that he "has always been alone".

Eastern District Councilor Andrew Chiu Ka-yin stated that he will talk with them on whether they should pay the fine .

Source: Stand News #May10
#SingWithYou #TaiKoo #MothersDay #Cityplaza #GatheringBan

#HumanitarianCrisis #PressFreedom
Police Press Reporter's Head into Pepper-sprayed Liquid on the Ground

On May 11 at around 11:20pm, 50 civilians including TMHK reporter were encircled by the riot police at the intersection of Shantung Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street South. Police ordered all civilians to kneel on the ground and the detention lasted more than an hour.

According to TMHK reporter, riot police kept pepper-spraying pepper, forming and trapping the pungent liquid on the ground. Police then pressed the reporter's head on the ground for a certain duration, causing burnt and pain on his head, neck and back.

Source: TMHK #May10 #MothersDay #PoliceState #PepperSpray #MassArrest

Carrie Lam panicked over her mother day’s gift, thinking that might be a bomb parcel. She seems to have no idea how many mothers have lost their children forever.

#CarrieLam #MothersDay

#Separation #Hongkongers
On #MothersDay, Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists, remanded or exiled, Pay Homage to Their Mothers

Usually on Mother’s Day, many families would go out and celebrate. However, some are less fortunate this year in Hong Kong.

On May 9, 2021, exiled former #Demosisto leader #NathanLaw posted a photo with his mother on Facebook. He said this festival reminds him of the many pro-democracy protestors who became separated from their families. “Only until justice is done can family warmth return.”

Nathan Law recalled, “no matter how busy I am, on Mother's Day, I can always let go of my work and sit before a dinner table with my family.”

He admitted he saw festivals as an excuse to step away from work, but this year he thought of all the protestors who were forced into leaving their own families due to political oppression.

“For everyone who is remanded, imprisoned, or exiled, there is always a mother at home waiting for their return, waiting for days, for months, for years.”

He hoped there can be a new meaning for Mother’s Day. “Please remember those behind bars and oceans apart.”

The facebook page of democrat #TakchiTam, who is remanded on National Security charges, also posted a video that was recorded earlier of him singing the song “Mother, I did no wrong.”

In the video, he said the festival also reminded him of all the young men and women exiled or imprisoned due to the movement. However, he believed when people are united in their pursuit of justice and truth, a new family will be forged.

[Editor's note: “Mother, I have done no wrong” is a song written in remembrance of the 1989 June Fourth Massacre in Beijing. The title is a reference to a famous banner raised by the pro-democracy students who went on hunger strike in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

The lyrics sing:

“We want no one to define right or wrong.

We want no one to convict others at will."]

Source: Stand News #May9

https://www.thestandnews.com/society/a-%E4%B8%8D%E4%B8%80%E6%A8%A3%E7%9A%84%E6%AF%8D%E8%A6%AA%E7%AF%80-%E6%B5%81%E4%BA%A1%E7%BE%85%E5%86%A0%E8%81%B0%E4%B8%8A%E8%BC%89%E8%88%87%E6%AF%8D%E8%A6%AA%E5%90%88%E7%85%A7-%E5%85%AC%E7%BE%A9%E5%BD%B0%E9%A1%AF%E6%89%8D%E5%8F%AF%E6%9C%89%E5%AE%B6%E5%BA%AD%E6%BA%AB%E6%9A%96-%E5%BF%AB%E5%BF%85%E8%87%AA%E5%BD%88%E8%87%AA%E5%94%B1-%E5%AA%BD%E5%AA%BD%E6%88%91%E6%B2%92%E6%9C%89%E9%81%8E%E9%8C%AF/

#JuneFourth #Mothers #Exile #PoliticalSuppression #PoliticalPrisoners