We Are HKers - Carmen | Frontline social worker, a mother, trying her best to accompany young people

Read about Carmen’s 31 Aug incident: a sad and helpless night. - “Until the truth is revealed, Hongkongers will never give up.”

“In reality, there are differences between the aims and objectives of a social worker. We want to reach out to youths who are not cared for by the system, but only a handful of them would actually come to us for help. When a social movement puts our youth on the spotlight, I ask instead—just how much is the government willing to help them?”

— Carmen

Journalist: Tea Leaf

Illustrator: Tendarken

12 June was the beginning for front line social workers

It all boils down to 12 June*. I saw too much injustice that day. Why were so many children treated like that and tear gassed for no reason?

I had already been there the night before (11 June). It was very peaceful that night, there were even Christians singing hymns. Many secondary school students came out that night, some of who stayed overnight, which left an impression on me. I remember the day 12 June clearly as I was at my son’s kindergarten graduation ceremony. Some of my colleagues and relatives went to the rally around the legislative council. I received a message from my colleague. “What?! Tear gas!” I could only watch on helplessly as I watched the livestream. The helplessness I felt at that moment led me to think if there was anything I could do to help. It was infuriating watching students being bullied and blatantly assaulted by the police. It is with this heart that I wanted to play the role of a companion to support the younger generation. So I stepped forward.

Martyrs’ suicides began in June, after which there were various memorial services to grieve and mourn. As such, I started to be on standby at the memorials to see if anyone needed emotional support. Citizens from young to old were grieving and in distress, so we didn’t only support the youth. In any case, if there is anything in this movement that we could help with, we would do so as much as we could. As continued to help more people, we started questioning: “When there’s a risk that we could be arrested on the job, would we still go out? Are we prepared to take this step? Where is our bottom line?” I pondered on this for a while. At times I feel that if a young frontliner could be so courageous, why can’t I? Despite the risks, I had ways of protecting myself. Only by protecting myself well could I continue to come out and stand up the next time round.

Working as a frontline social worker

When the use of tear gas wasn’t used as frequently in June and July, we chose not to wear protective gear and stood on the front lines with nothing but our social worker badges. It allowed us to show to the police that we are not protesters, but rather social workers. When the police fired tear gas, we’d wet our towels and run away while covering our mouths and noses. We would try to stand on the sidelines close to the reporters, only turning on our microphones at the last minute as the police conducted their clearance operations, hoping that they would heed our calls and keep their cool.

We would run alongside the reporters, sometimes even running faster than them and sometimes with the riot police. We wanted to be in front of the frontliners, to stand between protesters and the police no matter what the situation is. Putting ourselves in such positions means I’ve been on the receiving end of all kinds of anti-riot equipment ranging from pepper spray to bullets and blue-dyed water. The effects from tear gas are the worst. The skin rashes, skin blisters, abdominal pain, and headaches—no pain killers can relieve the intensity of the pain. Breathing becomes difficult, even if it’s been weeks since the exposure. Some friends have urged me “You should get your lungs checked!” It’s true. I’ll do it when I have time. I’d like to visit the doctor but I would be worried about seeing a blue-ribbon doctor. Everything is separated by colour now.

Our work is getting increasingly difficult. The reactions of the police to our microphones varies wildly. Some respond to our pleas to exercise restraint. I believe that after we speak through our microphones, there are always a portion of them who listens and understands that we are trying our best to calm the situation on both sides. But some of them are really spinning out of control. We find it increasingly difficult to obtain information of those arrested. The police are using three methods to prevent us from obtaining the names of the arrestees. One, police will prevent arrestees from speaking, such as by pressing down on their throats; two, by making a lot of noise when we ask the arrestees for their names so that we can’t hear their answers; and three, the police would push their front lines back ten metres away from the arrested, “as far as the gods of thunder and lightning”, hence preventing us from obtaining any information on their condition and their identity. I really want to tell the police that “even if you need to arrest a person, they still have a right to contact a lawyer, to contact their family members as soon as possible or to allow us to accompany these underage children.”

Support after arrest

There are more and more children being arrested now. We have also done a bit of post-arrest support. Last week I was taking care of my son while watching livestream on TV: “Woah! What’s happening? Children of such a young age are arrested!” I saw a young boy I knew being arrested on TV, so I immediately helped him find a lawyer. Then I went to the police station and saw his parents and friends. The arrestees were all locked in the station. It took hours before they were finally allowed to see a lawyer. As I also saw the family and friends of other arrestees in the police station, I would talk to them and offer emotional support. Seeing fear of uncertainty in the eyes of their friends and family and friends is something I will always remember. For every arrestee my worst fear is “Will they be taken to San Uk Ling? I’m helpless if they’re transferred there ...” Thankfully, they stayed at the police station, and after untold hours, we saw his name at the station list, and I was relieved.

Scenes of violence during police arrests, plus the many unresolved mysteries such as the 31 August incident*, and the endless discovery of floating dead bodies; we are all waiting for the day when the truth comes to light. There will be a day when the police will be forced to bear the consequences of their actions. Everyone must believe that this day will come. I truly believe in the phrase “Where there’s a will there’s a way” We must have this thought and then come up with solutions to achieve this. An independent commission of inquiry must be established.

Frontline protestors—a group neglected by the system

I once thought of switching to work with the youth, but I decided to continue supporting protesters as I have for the past few months. I do not work with youths in my real life job; I only help out during my free time.

In reality, there are differences between the aims and objectives of a social worker. We want to reach out to youths who are not cared for by the system, but only a handful of them would actually come to us for help. I believe that we cannot help the young frontliners or even those on the secondary lines with traditional youth centres. Some of them have left school and will not have the knowledge that such youth centres exist or would consider participating in social activities, but does that mean that they do not have needs to seek help?

When a social movement puts our youth on the spotlight, I ask instead—just how much is the government willing to help them? What methods will the government use to find them or help them? Of course, everyone knows the “efficiency” of the government, so we can’t wait for them to enact policies. Such policies require long and tedious discussion and consultation before being implemented. By the time these policies are used by frontline social workers it would be too late. The pace of the movement makes it very hard to adapt policies on how to help those on the frontlines. I currently use my knowledge as a social worker to adapt to this movement by offering an alternate, more practical form of support.

Front line social work and a mother’s role

I have actively participated in this movement during this summer and am fortunate to have my family’s support in helping to take care of my children. However, after school resumed, I think I need to return to my role as a mother. As it has become more and more dangerous, we have not brought our children to marches or protests for some time already. Sometimes I see people with children at marches, and I have a lot of respect for them. You have to stand and walk for hours during the march. The children also can’t withstand the summer heat. If they cry and need to use the washroom, where can I find one? Even adults suffer, let alone children. Despite the hardship, they endured it for so many hours. I think at this moment that Hong Kongers have not given up.

This movement could turn into a war of attrition. No matter which position you are in—be it a social worker, a frontline protestor, a P.R.N. supporter, a reporter—everyone must find the balance in their life to continue the fight. Although I wanted to spend more time with my children in September, I continued to help out on the streets. My children will start to have quizzes, tests and exams soon. I also don’t know how many more times I can come out. What does the future hold? I’ll just do my best!

Hong Kong will expire in 2047. As a mother, I have also considered immigration for the sake of my childrens’ future. But I am also conflicted. In this movement, I genuinely think that Hong Kongers are unique. There is hope for Hong Kongers. We are united, despite the hardships we have faced. Apart from protesting at rallies and marches, we have developed different types of resistance; city-wide boycotts against Maxim’s Group, ‘taking reservation numbers without eating at blue ribboned restaurants’... these all unique ways of we have used.

Freedom—a higher level pursuit

The whole movement is constantly transforming, and evolving. During these past couple months, Hong Kongers have experienced our highs and lows, yet the sense of identity has never before been as strong it is. This movement has been our younger generation’s battle; Hong Kong’s future belongs to them. If you truly want to help them, you should give them freedom. Freedom is a very basic human right and is also what millions of people desire. Freedom is the greatest difference between Hong Kong and Mainland China. While each person’s demands in life will certainly be different, in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, physiological needs, such as food and warmth, are represented in the lowest tier. But ‘true Hong Kongers’ not only demand such; they also pursue something of a much higher level.

This is a challenging battle. Under Chinese Communist Party rule, we are very insignificant. There is very little we can do. Some even think that it’s impossible to resist. That’s why foreign support is so important. Sometimes When I see Hong Kongers living overseas or foreigners understand what we are fighting for and even voicing their support for Hong Kongers. We, in Hong Kong, are very moved by their support. There is a saying used nowadays: “We persist not because there’s hope. There’s hope because we persist.” We must be united and persistent. We must not be divided. In any case, we might add oil and fight on!

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*612: June 12th. The first large-scale rally after the first major anti-ELAB march. The populace occupied the roads outside government headquarters and the legislative assembly and prevented the legislative assembly from carrying out the second reading of the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill.

**831 Incident: August 31st, anti-riot police and raptor team members rushed into Prince Edward MTR Station, indiscriminately attacking protestors and other passengers. Prince Edward MTR Station was subsequently closed for multiple days. Citizens question if the police and MTR company have covered up deaths that occurred that day.

Carmen | Frontline social worker, a mother, trying her best to accompany young people