In Palo Alto: Masks, Black Clothing, White Flowers in Solidarity with Hong Kong Protesters

The Northern California Hong Kong Club called for a local rally on June 15th to show support for demonstrators a million strong who took to the streets of Hong Kong over the past week. Protests of a proposed bill, one that many fear would allow political dissidents to be extradited to mainland China, involved injuries from rubber bullets and tear gas dispensed by Hong Kong police.

About 800 people attended the rally held in Palo Alto. Hong Kong and mainland China do not currently have an extradition treaty; speakers at the rally said that although the semi-autonomous enclave’s Chief Executive indefinitely shelved the bill, continued demonstrations are necessary to show that the people of Hong Kong never want to see such a law enacted. A demonstrator in Hong Kong spoke to the Palo Alto crowd live via Skype asking that people appeal to US congressional authorities by signing a petition in support of the people of Hong Kong.

Most of the hundreds listening to speakers wore black to show solidarity with Hong Kong protesters and some wore masks. Nicholas of South Bay Revolutionary Socialists sported a mask and cap and had his collar pulled up revealing the letters BLOC on the back. Asked for his reaction to the speakers, Nicholas laughingly said, “of course I don’t believe that writing to US lawmakers will have any effect.” He said of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Lam that “she has her personal agenda,” adding that one can assume she is talking with mainland authorities. He said that China today is “not the socialism we want to see,” as it practices state capitalism.

Nicholas and others carried signs denouncing the police brutality seen in recent protests in Hong Kong. Other signs read "Make Love--No Shoot" and "No Extradition Law." A small contingent of women in medical masks held up signs saying "Taiwan Supports Hong Kong."

A brief outburst by a disrupter was resolved after a heated discussion was moved away from the gathering. It ended peacefully while local Chinese language television news stations filmed. At the close of the rally the emcee asked that everyone who had taken photos delete faces from them.