Hong Kong marks Umbrella Movement anniversary

HONG KONG—Two years ago, tens of thousands of people filled the streets of Hong Kong to protest an undemocratic proposal to choose the former British colony’s top leader, only to find Beijing would not budge. Two and a half months later, the last encampment left the streets and the world wondered if the so-called Umbrella Movement had failed.

At a commemoration event in front of government headquarters Wednesday, evidence of the movement’s successes proved the protests didn't end without a positive ripple effect. Speakers included protest leaders Josh Wong, 19, and Nathan Law, 23, the latter having just secured a seat in the Hong Kong Legislative Council along with five other anti-China localists. Newly formed groups urging greater civic awareness and grassroots democracy set up booths at the event, sparked by increased local participation in politics following the protests. Last month’s elections saw 2.2 million people, 58 percent of registered voters, coming out to vote, the highest turnout since Hong Kong’s 1997 handover. Christians also have stepped up their engagement with social issues, with groups like Mission Citizen and Umbrella City Cyberchurch hosting seminars and prayer meetings.

“We shouldn't underestimate any of the achievements of the Umbrella Movement,” Wong told the crowd. “We will face much harder times to come, and we must use that hope, that confidence, and the courage we had at the outset to fight all those future battles.”

At 5:59 p.m., activists opened yellow umbrellas and observed a moment of silence to mark the moment two years ago when police first fired tear gas on peaceful protesters. Overall, the mood felt hopeful and even celebratory as yellow banners reading “I want real universal suffrage” waved in the wind. One group gave out free paper umbrellas while another applied henna tattoos on long lines of attendees. Several middle-aged women handed out honey cracker sandwiches to anyone who would stomp on a photo of current Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.

Protestant and Catholic groups also set up camp at the event. Christians make up 20 percent of the population and run about half Hong Kong’s schools. The group Yellow Umbrella Christian Base Community held Catholic Mass on the sidewalk, with a sermon by former Cardinal Joseph Zen, an outspoken advocate for democracy and religious liberty. Earlier that day I spoke with Zen, who urged the importance of Catholics being engaged and concerned about society.

“The church must join the society and give direction to the faithful as to how to engage society,” Zen said. “That means you have to be concerned about politics. But in Hong Kong the clergy is very passive, the dioceses officially insist on social concern, but the progress is very slow.”

Along the sidewalk, members of Umbrella City Cyberchurch (UCC) shared their vision for being a platform for Christians who feel like they can’t discuss politics in the church. Through their digital presence, UCC allows Christians to examine and discuss social issues from a Christian viewpoint. The group has moved toward offline events as well, with seminars on issues concerning Hong Kong’s future, as well as community projects, such as holding church services under the bridge to reach out to the homeless community.

“Young people are seeking how God responds to what is going on in society, but it seems the older generation doesn’t care,” said Clement Kam, editor of UCC’s website. Many churches face the generational division apparent all over Hong Kong: Older people identify as Chinese and want to maintain the status quo with the mainland, while the younger generation sees themselves as Hong Kongers, with China the oppressive overlord. In many churches, these politically sensitive issues are not discussed.

While Kam is encouraged by the increased voter turnout in the last election, he stresses those sitting in the Legislative Council can’t change the core values of Hong Kong. But the church can, as it follows the example of Jesus.

In a nearby church, Christians filled the pews Wednesday night for a prayer meeting to commemorate the Umbrella Movement anniversary. Held by Mission Citizens, another Christian group created out of the protests, the night included choir singing, a sermon on Joshua trusting the Lord to defeat Jericho, and prayer for Hong Kong.

Mission Citizens began as a group of Christian professors, lawyers, and pastors started to think about what Christians should do once the protests ended, with democracy and Hong Kong’s uncertain future on everyone’s mind. They started monthly prayer meetings to discuss current issues facing Hong Kong society and tried to bring together the old and the young to sit, listen, and share their views of their homeland.

Andrew Kwok, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University and one of the founders of the group, said he often visits churches to talk about how Christians can analyze the present political situation, the type of character Christians must exhibit when engaging in social issues, and what Christian social participation looks like. He believes Christians can and should be engaged in social issues, and be a light for the rest of society.

“We are doing a kind of pioneering work—communication, deliberation, and mutual understanding—these are important components of a good civil society,” said Kwok. “If the church can do this kind of thing, then we can share it with the rest of society.”