Missing the Right to Vote

Four years ago, Nathan Law was voted the youngest lawmaker... now in exile

Today Hong Kong recorded seven new coronavirus cases, the lowest in two months.

Funny how this coincides with the eve of what would have been the Legislative Council elections.

But on July 31, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor postponed the elections to next year, citing the third wave of the pandemic, when there were triple-digit cases at the time.

Lam postponed elections, citing pandemic, today seven cases

How can she say her decision has nothing to do with politics?

There was word going around online about a mass gathering tomorrow along Nathan Road to protest not being able to vote in the Legco elections. The protest would also voice their dismay over the national security law imposed on the city, and the possibility of a health code system implemented in Hong Kong.

In response, the police force says it will deploy some 2,000 officers fanning from Tsim Sha Tsui to Prince Edward, and will have in its arsenal water cannons, armoured vehicles, and guns that can shoot tear gas, rubber bullets and beanbag rounds. They will also have pepper ball launchers.

As a result the police warned the public not to get involved, with public gatherings limited to two people.

"Police once a gain warned that the activity is an unauthorized assembly... It is illegal for anyone to organize or participate in, or even be involved in a violent confrontation," the force said. "The police will act swiftly and decisively, make arrests in due course."

Police promise they will be out in force tomorrow

Meanwhile the organizers plan to press ahead. "The government's decision to postpone the elections citing the epidemic aimed at barring us to voice out through an institutionalized way," they said in a statement.

"We believe that a mass rally is the best way to express our views, and show that we will not back down."

The organizers advised protesters not to linger along the protest route, nor take an violent actions.

What's going to happen is anyone's guess, but people are frustrated and need some kind of outlet to release their anger at the government, otherwise left to fester will result in even worse outcomes.

But the government doesn't see it that way and the police will look for any opportunity to strike hard to nip things in the bud right away.

The opportunity for peaceful protests is long gone.

Will people be defiant tomorrow? We will find out

What we are left with are two extremes and no chance of conciliation.

A few weeks ago, Paul Yip, a professor of social sciences at the University of Hong Kong penned an opinion piece in a local newspaper. He called on the government to stop criminalizing young people, who are the future of the city, and instead help them.

"Any responsible government must do its best to nurture the next generation, providing them with the necessary education, training and opportunities to develop their skills. We need to incentivize them to stay," he wrote.

"Retaining and attracting talent is the most important component of Hong Kong's survival. We cannot do this if we have a very polarized society.

"The government needs to develop an empathetic attitude when formulating policies. Our chief executive should learn to listen to those who have different views, as this would definitely improve her governance."

One wonders if she will take this sage advice...