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Hong Kong protests: "I'm ready to die tonight"

2019-11-16T16:34:54.785Z


Protestant students entrenched themselves at Hong Kong universities. They also want to defend their positions with weapons against the police. An archer tells how far he would go.



Since student Alex Chow died on November 8, the conflict between the protest movement and the police escalates in Hong Kong. While violent activists used to play with officers Katz and Maus, since the beginning of this week they have occupied several universities for the first time - and held their positions for some days against advancing security forces.

One of them is the Polytechnic University in the middle of the central district of Kowloon. Behind barricades of tables, chairs, metal fences, bricks and barbed wire, it resembles a fortress.

To defend the "poly", many students have crafted weapons - from the slingshot to the Molotov cocktail. Others have brought arrows and bows from the sports facilities of the university. In addition to an empty Olympic pool, the black-dressed have converted to the training track for Molotov cocktail throws, a troop of archers have set up their training camp. With masked faces, they rehearse shooting here late Thursday night.

Georg Fahrion / The SPIEGEL

Shooting exercises at the Polytechnic University in Hong Kong

One of them declares himself ready to talk, but will not discard his disguise. He gives his first name to Charlie. He was born in Hong Kong, 22 years old and a student, probably at another university. Nevertheless, he claims, he would defend the Polytechnic University to the last.

SPIEGEL: Are you ready to die?

Charlie: Yes, I'm ready to die tonight. I have a farewell letter with me, it's in my wallet.

SPIEGEL: What's in it?

Charlie: A few words to my parents, my friends, to the people who mean something to me. My girlfriend, even my ex.

SPIEGEL: You practice here with bow and arrow. Do you want to use these too?

Charlie: Of course! If the police attack us, we will do everything we can to prevent them from entering the Polytechnic University. If they put it in here, they will not just arrest us. They kill us. We all agree. Everyone knows that the police are no longer concerned about human lives.

SPIEGEL: And you? Do not you have a problem using a bow and arrow?

Charlie: Yes, it's dangerous. For example, if you do not aim well and meet someone who is not a police officer ... there is a risk.

SPIEGEL: But to meet a policeman do you think okay?

Charlie: Yes. That is justified at this point. Meanwhile, the police shoot us with live ammunition.

SPIEGEL: Would you accept killing a policeman? Because that's a potentially deadly weapon.

Charlie: No, I just want to threaten them so they do not approach our barricades. Nobody wants to kill them. We just want to signal to them: not one step further.

SPIEGEL: If you shoot an arrow, you can kill someone.

Charlie: But the arrows are not really sharp. You can not kill anyone, look here, it's not so sharp.

Georg Fahrion / The SPIEGEL

Students prepare for the arrival of the police

SPIEGEL: When did you join the protest movement?

Charlie: On June 12th. That was the first day the police used tear gas. At the very beginning, we only blocked roads to force the government to listen to us. Meanwhile, we also use violence. But always with care. We're just trying to fight the government that is sending the police to silence Hong Kong citizens.

SPIEGEL: Did you throw bricks?

Charlie: Also Molotov cocktails - everything you can imagine right now in Hong Kong. We need to acquire new skills as police violence escalates. Since tear gas started in June, things have got worse and worse.

SPIEGEL: You could also see it the other way around: If protesters arm themselves, they are jointly responsible if the situation escalates.

Charlie: No. The Hong Kong people know exactly which side started. The police became violent when we went peacefully out to the streets and voiced nothing but our voice. These were demonstrations, not a riot.

SPIEGEL: Would you say that you have radicalized yourself?

Charlie: I would not see it that way. We only resist, we are the passive side.

Kin Cheung / DPA

Protesters pass stones to block a road near the university

SPIEGEL: How will all this end?

Charlie: We will not tire of protecting the university. There is no end in sight until the government does not respond to our demands that we have been making since June, including an independent investigation of police violence and free elections.

SPIEGEL: Do you think that's realistic?

Charlie: We hope so. But the government and the police have so far disappointed us.

Later in the night, it comes at the Polytechnic University to the expected clashes. The police are firing tear gas - and are being struck with arrows, six of which she collects as evidence. Whether Charlie was among the shooters, the SPIEGEL could not find out. The university will not be stormed that night.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2019-11-16

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