Hong Kong Starts 2020 with Protest

Tens of thousands have turned out for the Civil Human Rights Front march

It's 2020 and as promised the protests continue in Hong Kong.

Right now there is a march of tens of thousands of people going from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to Central, demonstrating that Hongkongers, whether they be hard core protesters or sideline supporters are pushing for the government to agree to all five demands.

Marchers hold yellow signs that say "Free"

Participants have raised their hands with outstretched fingers and continue to chant the same slogans over and over.

Meanwhile donations are streaming in for Spark Alliance, one of the fundraising platforms that provides legal and medical assistance to protesters. Many are infuriated at the fact that its HSBC bank account was frozen and the donated cash will just literally be handed over to Spark Alliance to ensure the money will be used.

Also participating in the march for the first time are some 40 unions that have been formed recently as a way to build greater support for city-wide strikes. It's fascinating to see how people are organizing themselves and finding ways to counter the government or try to foil the authorities. It's about time that Hong Kong had more unions to protect workers' rights, and perhaps this will be the momentum they need to flourish.

Marchers gathered in Victoria Park this afternoon

So how will Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor see this protest to mark the start of 2020? Or more importantly how will President Xi Jinping see it? Surely continued protests in Hong Kong are not a good sign. It is time to have some kind of discussion to resolve this crisis.

Alas Xi probably does not want to be seen as giving in, but he may have compromise. Cracking down harder on the international city is not going to solve anything and in fact make things worse on the world stage.

Everyone is watching. Happy New Year!