March 2015 – Civic Awakening

The 79 day occupation of sites in Admiralty, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay ended without protesters winning any concessions from the government on their demands for open elections for Chief Executive in 2017. Post-Occupy, Hong Kong seems more polarised than ever. But some have argued that the Umbrella Movement has led to a civic awakening in the city that will have long-lasting implications. In this issue of Periscope we look at some aspects of this civic awakening:

Some of those who supported civil disobedience as a method to advocate for democracy did so because they were disillusioned with the traditional politics of opposition through the District and Legislative Councils. Yet, the end of the Umbrella Movement has motivated some young participants to extend the spirit of the movement through the ballot box. We meet the young people preparing to stand in the District Council polls later this year.

Pop star Anthony Wong Yiu-ming has revealed that support for the Umbrella Movement has cost him work, and his record contract is not being renewed. Despite the high costs of supporting political causes, some Hong Kong celebrities are taking a vocal stand.

Professionals are often seen as staid and safe, unwilling to rock the boat and politically conservative. But in recent months and years, pro-democratic elements within professions such as medicine and the law have started to make their voices heard and what is more, they are organising.