Derek Chan 陳嘉昊 grew up in colonial Hong Kong, studied in Norway, and currently lives in Vancouver. He received his BFA in theatre performance from Simon Fraser University. A playwright, director, performer, translator, and producer, Derek has been co-artistic director of rice & beans theatre since 2010.
Read MoreRicky, 31 years old, is an accounting clerk. For freedom, he is willing to leave his home in Hong Kong. As part of the first cohort of the United Kingdom’s “Leave outside the Immigration Rules” (LOTR) program, he hopes to offer help from afar to those who feel trapped. He was diagnosed with depression a few years ago and spent a long time in treatment. He now wants to raise public awareness for mood disorders.
Read MoreCalif Chong is a filmmaker currently based in the UK. She worked as a scriptwriter at TVB and a documentarian for RTHK. A few years ago, she began her studies in Europe and started her career in the film industry, with the aim of finding a new way to tell the story of Hong Kong.
Read MoreSharon is a 30-year-old professor at the University of Kentucky, who teaches and researches politics and rhetoric. At a place with few Hongkongers nearby, she finds every possible way to stand with Hong Kong: from getting an umbrella tattoo on her arm, to advocating for the social movement in Hong Kong through teaching and public speaking.
Read MorePandora is an art therapist based in the UK, currently studying for a doctorate degree. Her anxiety grew as she watched the anti-ELAB movement unfold. Unable to participate while being overseas, she launched ‘Project Enheartening’, sending postcards gathered in the UK to Hongkongers. Let’s hear from her experience of the power of art.
Read MoreBorn in Hong Kong, residents of Norway, Jessica (Chairperson) and Steven (Vice Chairperson) set up Hongkongkomiteen | Norge to give a voice to what is happening in Hong Kong.
Read MoreMr Potato is a Hongkonger in his 30s, who runs a food stall, Dhan Waffle, with his business partner at London’s Maltby Street Market. Find out about his experience in running a local food business in London and his personal journey on stepping out of his comfort zone.
Read MoreSamuel Chan is an organiser of Conversations with the Courageous, a volunteer group that aims to raise awareness and support of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement through personal interactions with local people in San Francisco.
He is also an organiser of the Hong Kong Affairs Association of Berkeley, a group that aims to raise awareness of issues related to democracy and human rights in Hong Kong among students at the University of California, Berkeley, and the general public.
Read MoreBrianna Yip is a Hong Konger is her 20s- 30s. Brianna was born in Canada but grew up in Hong Kong. She now works as a school psychologist in San Francisco. Find out how she is spreading awareness and campaigning support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement despite being far away from Hong Kong.
Read MoreI fell in love with Hong Kong one New Year trip many years ago. Because of my fond memories of Hong Kong, it has been incredibly difficult to watch how violence is currently unfolding. Despite the chaos, there have been many incredibly heartwarming moments that were captured on screen—I am glad that this “Hong Kong spirit” is still alive.
Read MoreBorn and raised in Canada, I have friends from a diverse ethnic background. It’s hard for them to understand why I feel so strongly about Hong Kong. I tried my best to raise awareness on what was happening, but I always criticized myself wondering, “Am I annoying?”
I felt isolated navigating my identity and politics. I hope that people from Hong Kong will see me as one of them even though I wasn’t born or raised there.
Read MoreI believe that Hong Kong is truly unique, and Hongkongers have proven that all people desire democracy and freedom, no matter where they are in the world.
Read MoreI still cannot say that we have sent out the right messages to 'click' with most Canadians to their heart. Some people say they support Hong Kong; others wonder why. We just have too many stories to tell; there are too many things happening. That's the real problem.
Read MoreI think art can be a way of healing people, to make people stronger, to empower people and to help them through this difficulty. During this movement, there is new creative art emerging, new songs being released. It all makes me want to create art to promote the spirit within these protests. Hong Kong gives me the most inspiration in my life.
Read MoreThe crux of the problem is that Hongkongers see no future. They are terrified of what will happen in 2047. We have been protesting since the handover in 1997. We have given the government many chances to implement changes. Yet, time and again, they have failed us. What more can we do? What more should we do?
Read MoreDuring the Sunflower Movement* in Taiwan, we didn’t agree with the illegal tactics the student protestors used, until we somewhat understood what civil disobedience is. Since then, we have found their persistence in protesting at all costs really admirable.
Read MoreThis is not the Hong Kong I know. I had been depressed for a long time. Every night, I need to meditate for an hour before being able to go to sleep. We all need to work together to fight for the freedom of speech: a universal value which we all embrace.
Read MoreI think people in my country don't really understand how important Hongkongers’ fight is. As Switzerland is one of the most democratic countries in the world, freedom to us is like ‘air’, we are born with it - it is taken for granted. So I was wondering what I could do in an artistic way to help them understand.
Read MoreSince I became aware of social movements, I have only been a participant, and have never stepped up to the frontline of the movement, because I am afraid of trouble and easily discouraged. One might even say I lack the courage to make a difference. My newly acquainted ‘schoolmates’ changed me. They are really helpful and truly tireless, and taught me how to be free from fear via action, letting me know that breakthroughs lie only in persistence.
Read MoreHongkongers are doing whatever they can, regardless of where and who they are, with the same goal in mind. They’ve got it all covered. There’s even a group that collects recyclables at every protest, and another that cleans up the site after protests. It never ceases to amaze me how they can bond together so quickly and efficiently, fuelled by the anger towards injustice and the love for freedom.
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