A Vancouver ‘Hong Kong Silver-Haired’ Protester Reviews the 2019 Hong Kong Protests

Auntie Chun is a 63 years old single mother, living on alimony, and her child is already grown up. She used to travel solo, even to the mainland for cheaper travel before 2019,. In her spare time, she organized many interesting activities. She sold her house and paid all her loans in 2019..

In May 2019,, she spent the rest of her money on a trip to Canada.

Unexpectedly Hong Kong experienced drastic changes in June. Two million Hongkongers marched peacefully to demonstrate their discontent. Hong Kong’s landscape was transformed.

Auntie Chun always participated in social movements in Hong Kong, such as June 4 the memorials for the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, July 1 marches, the anti-moral and civic education protest in 2012, the Umbrella Movement in 2014, and so on. In Vancouver, she also took part in June 4th commemoration. It was a place she missed very deeply. She returned to Hong Kong, and she participated in protests.

Visit Prisoners, Farewell Prisoners

Protests began to die off after the capture of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She went along to watch court proceedings and bid farewell the prisoner being taken from the courthouse to her cell.

She would like to get as many people in the court auditoriums as they can.

Auntie Chun explained that she went to visit the prisoner.

Auntie Chun explained, “Why did I go to see the prisoners?”

Auntie Chun stated that she was usually the only one who went to protests. During these years of social movement, she actually met many Hongkongers. They did not usually exchange information. Instead, they just nodded each other when they first met. However, when they were at the courthouse, they would chat.

Auntie Chen pointed out that Hongkongers on remand or in waiting for their trial can order private meals from the High Court of Admiralty.

When people found out, they would go to the designated restaurant nearby to order and pay for lunches at 8: 00 a.m. in the morning, so that the protesters in custody could have a private meal at noon.

After the hearings were over, the prison transport vehicle left the court and the driver waved to the witnesses to good bye. The prisoner transport vehicle was released every day following the trial. After the trial, the “master of farewelling prisoners” calculated from what part of the court it would be released and in which direction. They would chase the car and take the prisoners away.

They often say to convicted people, “Hang in there!” We will take good care of you. Let’s keep going! We will send letters .”

to those who drink more water during heatwaves.

Later more prisoners were sent to prison so she began to visit the inmates. Every day she visited prisoners, she planned her visit carefully so she didn’t miss any opportunities.

After that she started to purchase supplies for prison inmates. She tried to visit them every week and made them feel happier.

She had to wait more than an hour each time she went to visit the prisoners, although they were able to chat for only ten minutes. For example, if you go to Stanley Prison, you can only visit two people from 7: 00 a.m. to 2: 00 p.m.

During the remand period, they are allowed only two visitors each day for a total of 15 minutes. If family members are unable to visit them, they can notify the master of visiting prisoners to arrange for visits. They can be visited every day of the remand. People can only visit someone who is currently in prison twice per month if they are officially sent to jail. They can request two additional visits to their immediate relatives, although the two visits are reserved for family members and friends. Auntie Chun would continue to buy them supplies.

Auntie Chen observed that young people, such as those from the PolyU siege arrest, would appear in court to support them. Some of these students actually came in uniform to the hearings.

Some parents didn’t know that their children were being held, and so no one came to visit them.

Auntie Chun said she would get in touch with the protesters if they needed assistance. “I did the right thing . I didn’t ask too many questions .

Auntie Chun said that “Actually I’m not only one .”

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Children in Prison

Police officers began beating children after the Anti-extradition Law Bill movement. Senior citizens were able to persuade police officers not to beat the children.

When she began to watch court proceedings she discovered that some protesters couldn’t come to court due to being badly beat. The fourth hearing was finally held and one of them appeared with a walking stick, or cradle. This made many people weep. They were so cruelly beaten by the police!

Auntie Chun stated that many people told their lawyers the truth that they were beaten by police officers. Judge Chun said you can complain to the Complaints Against Police Office but that it wasn’t necessary to do so.

Some victims confessed to having been beat.

It is obvious that the protesters weren’t injured after they were detained, as there are media reports that prove it.

But after being taken into police custody, they couldn’t appear in court for several days and had to be admitted to hospital for one week. Because they were trying to get young people to confess, the presumptions of police officers grew.

Observing court proceedings was difficult and required high intelligence. You will be charged with contempt by the court if you raise an objection.

Knowing that protestors were being abused, but not speaking up. Sometimes, the heart cannot bear to feel ,

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Some teenage protesters wept when the judge gave them the sentence ,

Some people plead guilty. If you plead guilty to a sentence, one third of it will be removed. Many young people choose this option to get out of jail earlier so that they can move on in their lives.

The Feeling of Receiving Farewells

Auntie Chun, the master at farewelling prisoner, also witnessed the moment when she was sent away.

She was detained at the Landmark’s “Lunch with You” protest on Sept. 7. 2020, She was also arrested at the Central District Police Station. At that time, she was around 2:45 p.m. .

She was granted bail and released from jail on September 7. Then she appeared in court in February 2021 and was sentenced to prison for 21 days.

Although she couldn’t see in the vehicle, she was able to see out and hear them speaking. She burst into tears. Her emotions were also moved and she was worried.

Without Fear of Danger

Auntie Chun had served as a “master at farewelling prisoners” over a period of more than one year. She had also visited numerous prisons that were all men’s. They visited the prisons because there weren’t many women protesters.

San Uk Ling Holding Centre hosted the protesters from the very beginning. No one had any idea where to look.

Auntie Chun gave the prisoner’s number during the visit. They kept in touch by phone and letter after their release. She continued meeting them to try to help.

An auntie, Chun remembers a visit to a young protester in her twenties as one of her most memorable visits. He told Auntie Chun that he didn’t need to come to her so much, but that he cared about others. This moved Auntie Chun greatly.

” During the hardship in 2019 Hong Kong everyone took initiative and there were many happy and caring moments,” Auntie Chun shared with mixed emotions.

Because Auntie Chun visited prisoners often, staff from the Correctional Service Department were very familiar with her. They would always greet Auntie Chun when they saw her. She said, “You are back?” It was assumed that she had been paid to visit. They asked her why she wasn’t paid for the visit. She said that she had been volunteering and used her own funds.

Auntie Chun said her sleep quality was poor and that she would often dream about those scenes. She also woke up frequently from dreams.

Auntie Chun is not rich. To buy items for imprisoned protesters, she had to put aside some cash. The money went to these items, in addition to the living expenses.

Most Memorable Experience

Many memorable events took place during this entire social movement.

Auntie Chun recalled meeting a 14-year-old boy. His entire body had a reddish color and was clearly injured. He was shocked and she asked her if they could help. He felt extremely pained, and instead of crying, he asked Auntie Chun, “Why has Hong Kong become so horrible?”

Auntie Chun said that “I couldn’t sleep that night.” It was a memorable experience that I will never forget. This teenager is so courageous! This is how the Hong Kong government treated our youth. I can’t give up.”

End CCP

After what had happened in 2019,, Auntie Chun realized that the Communist Party was the cause of all the problems in Hong Kong.

She claimed that the Communist Party lacks humanity. They have killed many people. They want Hongkongers to be exterminated, even when it comes to the 2019 Hong Kong Protest. We must eliminate the CCP!” Only when CCP is eliminated .”

can we return to Hong Kong.

An auntie in Vancouver saw two Hong Kong movies: “The Revolution of the Times”, and “Blue Island”. She said that the things she sees in the films are similar to what she has experienced.

When she arrived in Vancouver she spent her savings on promotion. She printed messages and stickers for the CCP’s end, as well as clothes, to advertise the event.

Continue to Fight

Despite the depressing news coming out of Hong Kong each day, Auntie Chun said that she sees the international situation and has confidence. She also stated, “I will remain firm, even though I might not see Hong Kong free from its current problems because I’m not well.” It [the CCP] has been classified as terrorist by at least some people. It is important that we all stand united, and are not afraid

Auntie Chun is concerned that Hong Kong residents might start to lose their enthusiasm in the future and become less interested in Hong Kong.

In a free society, it’s even more important to inform the CCP that “we don’t fear, we must do more .”

Auntie Chun hoped like-minded individuals who left Hong Kong could be courageous and speak up for freedom. We can do the same things we did in the past. The CCP won’t be scared if we all work together towards the same goal.