Hongkongers form human chain across city reminiscent of 1989 Baltic Way protest to defy Soviet rule

Hongkongers are superb at organising themselves.

Belmont Lay | 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.

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.

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.

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).