August 24, 2019, 02:13 AM
Hong Kong protesters formed a human chain across the city and chanted in unison, as they linked hands as one on Friday night, Aug. 23 in the latest method of defying the government and Beijing.
This is extraordinary. Exactly 30 years after the Baltic Way took place, Hong Kong people have taken inspiration from the demonstration and joined hands across the city to form a massive human chain this Friday night.
— Elaine Yu (@yuenok) August 23, 2019
This video was taken in just one small part of Causeway Bay. pic.twitter.com/UEjoJZSfbM
Inspired by the 1989 Baltic Way, thousands gather and form pro-democracy human chains. From Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay (& along other MTR lines), people chant #StandWithHongKong, #五大訴求缺一不可, & #香港人加油 (HK stay strong/add oil). #StandwithHK #HongKong #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/qHZmmvWAgp
— Geoff - @[email protected] (@GeoffreyKFCheng) August 23, 2019
The Baltic Way
The protesters were taking inspiration from the Baltic Way demonstration exactly 30 years ago.
In 1989, some two million people created a 600km human chain across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to protest against Soviet Union and its rule.
That moment became known as the Baltic Way or Baltic Chain.
Hong Kong Way
Thousands of Hongkongers showed up in force to create their own "Hong Kong Way", in an act of peaceful demonstration organised and driven by social media and remaining largely leaderless.
More awe-inspiring photos from Lion Rock. Also, Hong Kong has a vibrant hiking & trail running community—one way to tell is how well these protesters are kitted out. (Pics: 何家達/Apple Daily) pic.twitter.com/Qw4wHKFPL3
— Mary Hui (@maryhui) August 23, 2019
This marks another sharp turn by protesters to embrace creative, non-violent methods of making themselves heard, while capturing the world's attention and standing with their cause.
Many protesters showed up in surgical masks to hide their identity while holding Hong Kong flags or mobile phones with lights shining.
The city's skyscraper-studded harbourfront, as well as several busy shopping districts, were lined with peaceful protesters.
The symbolic Lion Rock Mountain was lit up by hikers at the peak.
This is the same mountain where the huge 28m, “We want real universal suffrage” banner, was hung during the Umbrella Movement in 2014.
The symbolic Lion Rock Mountain was lit up by hikers during the Hong Kong Way tonight.
— Denise Ho (@hoccgoomusic) August 23, 2019
This is the same mountain where the huge 28 meter “We want real universal suffrage” banner was hung during the Umbrella movement.#StandwithHK #HKWay pic.twitter.com/dVnwcGd84Z
Chants
Protesters young and old chanted "Free Hong Kong", as well as the protest rallying cry "Hong Kong, add oil".
They passed along hand sanitisers.
Their act of forming their own human chain was also a mark of solidarity, paying tribute to the Baltic Way and remembering what has come before, as well as the values the previous movement stood for.
What organisers said in statement
"The Baltic Way brought the world’s attention to their cause and inspired following generations," the rally organisers said in a statement. "We plead that you will not look away at this crucial time. Stand with Hong Kong."
Police presence was thin and the protest ended promptly at 9pm (1300 GMT).
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