On January 13, over 20,000 Hong Kong residents marched on the street to express their dissatisfaction with the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) denial of their request for a general election in 2012.
The march is jointly organized by Hong Kong's Civil Human Rights Front and the Pan-democratic alliance.
On December 29, 2007, the Chinese communist regime ruled out the possibility of Hong Kong's first general election being held in 2012, as it promised "one country two system" before took over Hong Kong in 1997. The Chinese regime delayed Hong Kong's Chief Executive election until 2017 and full legislative election in 2020. However, a protestor said, "Beijing shows no sincerity on this issue; it only wants to play a delay tactic to fool Hong Kong's people."
Stalling for Years
Participants gathered at Victoria Park in the afternoon. Before setting out, Hong Kong lawmaker Emily Lau made a statement on behalf of the Pan-democratic alliance to protest the CCP's denial of a 2012 general election. Liu emphasized that Hong Kong people have strived for democracy for years, but the general election has been delayed repeatedly. This is against the public's will.
In the prayer before the march, Hong Kong Cardinal Zen indicated that this parade was to express Hong Kong people's dissatisfaction and regrets of the CCP's denial of a general election in 2012. Zen emphasized his uncompromising determination in striving for democracy.
The march set out at 3 p.m., led by Joseph Zen and several elderly people holding a banner "Demand General Election in 2012, No False Democracy in 2017." This was the second time Joseph Zen participated in a march for democracy since Hong Kong's July 1 march in 2007.
A group of global Quit the CCP campaign supporters also participated in the march, their message to the Hong Kong people is "Don't Count on the Chinese Communist Regime's Promise."
Group leader Mr. Chang said, "The CCP promised a democratic system and general election before it took over control of China, but after that there has only been repression. Only through disintegrating the Communist Party, can Chinese people both on the mainland and Hong Kong have a real democratic general election."
If It Happens Here, It Can Happen on the Mainland
Hong Kong citizen Mr. Su said, "The CCP does not allow Hong Kong's people to have general elections in fear that 1.3 billion people on the mainland will follow suit. As such, its power and interests will be threatened, and therefore Hong Kong is slow in getting general suffrage. Actually, Hong Kong is capable of conducting a general election in 2012."
Former Hong Kong head of civil service and current legislator Anson Chan also participated in the march with her family; she said that she was happy to see over 20,000 people participating in the march.
Chan said, "The march demonstrates that people are very disappointed that the National People's Congress denied Hong Kong's general election in 2012, and they also feel hopeless."
Chan indicated earlier that she was willing to compromise the time table of the general election, but insisted on the cancellation of Functional Constituencies seats, which gives the communist regime majority control seats in the legislative council.
The march arrived at the Hong Kong government by 5 p.m., participants left peacefully after speeches given by several hosts.
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