Project Hong Kong is a grassroot, volunteer cooperative based in the US. It comprises Hongkongers residing in the United States.
In June 2019, millions of people in Hong Kong took to the streets to demonstrate against an extradition bill that would have put virtually anyone in Hong Kong at risk of extradition to mainland China.
As events unfolded over the summer, what started as a protest to the extradition bill erupted into a much wider outcry against China’s increasing encroachment upon Hong Kong’s autonomy. Instead of addressing the people’s political grievances, the Hong Kong government responded with devastating police brutality, arbitrary arrests, and political prosecutions.
In May 2020, after nearly a year of protests, Beijing shrugged off any pretense of observing the autonomy guaranteed to Hong Kong in the territory’s constitution, and announced plans to introduce a sweeping National Security Law (NSL). This law effectively extinguishes Hong Kong’s judicial independence and any remaining civil liberties.
On July 1, the National Security was put into effect. On the first day of its implementation, nearly 400 people were arrested, of which 11 were accused of violating NSL.
Overnight, Hong Kong is changed. The city’s long cherished distinct culture of political activism and free speech is in peril.
Timeline
2019
June 9
One million people took to the streets to protest the proposed Extradition Bill.
June 12
Police used disproportionate force and fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters at a new demonstration.
June 16
2 million protesters flooded the streets of Hong Kong delivering a stunning repudiation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s governance.
July 21
Mobs of white-clad triad members, in collusion with the Hong Kong Police, attacked commuters indiscriminately in Yuen Long Underground station.
Aug 11
Police stormed enclosed railway stations, firing tear gas at protesters. During the violence that Sunday, a female medic got shot in the eye, and was blinded, becoming a symbol of the protest movement.
Aug 16
Cathay Pacific CEO was forced to step down under pressure from Beijing
Aug 31
Riot police stormed the Prince Edward subway station in Mong Kok. They were filmed rushing into subway carriages and indiscriminately assaulting passengers with batons and pepper spray, leaving many passengers injured and traumatized.
Sept 4
Chief executive Carrie Lam announced the formal withdrawal of the Extradition Bill. But by then the months-long protest had broadened beyond the extradition bill into a wider call for democracy.
Oct 1
Hong Kong Police shot an 18-year old student at close range, marking the first time a live round was fired at a protester. Police also fired around 1,400 tear gas canisters and over 1,300 projectiles – setting a new record in a single day.
Nov 17 – 29
After a strike on November 11 plunged the city into chaos, police stormed universities across Hong Kong, culminating in a 12-day-long police siege on the grounds of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Nov 24
In the District Council Election, voters delivered a decisive landslide for pro-democracy candidates in a show of solidarity with the city’s protest movement and a rebuke to the government over its handling of the crisis.
Nov 27
President Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act into law, with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.
Dec 10
Foreign experts quit the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) over disagreements on the investigation process. IPCC is a government-appointed watchdog assigned to investigate into alleged police misconduct. The panel of overseas expert was brought on to bolster IPCC’s credibility.
2020
Late January onwards
Covid-19 handed the Hong Kong government a convenient pretext to shut down protests.
April 17
More than a dozen leading pro-democracy activists and former lawmakers were arrested in connection with the protests that raged in the city last year, the biggest roundup of prominent opposition figures in recent memory.
May 15
IPCC report largely exonerates Hong Kong police conduct.
May 28
CCP approved a plan to directly impose a National Security Law on Hong Kong, bypassing the local Hong Kong Legislature.
May 29
President Trump announced the revocation of Hong Kong’s special trade status with the US.
June 3
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to grant almost 3 million Hong Kong residents a pathway to British citizenship, in response to Beijing's move to impose a far-reaching security law.
June 30
National Security Law (NSL) gazette and signed.
July 1
First full day of NSL in effect. Nearly 400 people were arrested.
July 2
Hong Kong government banned movement slogan, “Liberate Hong Kong. Revolutions Of Our Times””. Police suggested Lennon Wall violates NSL.
July 7
Police granted sweeping new powers.
July 8
Inauguration of Beijing’s National Security Office in Hong Kong. Government moved to ban protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong” in schools.
July 13
More than 600,000 people turned out to vote in primary election held by pro-democracy camp, defying government warning of NSL violation.
July 14
President Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act.
July 20
UK suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
July 28
Hong Kong University law professor, Benny Tai, was sacked for his role in the pro-democracy movement.
July 30
12 opposition candidates were disqualified from running in the upcoming September 6th Legislative Election.
July 31
Hong Kong government postponed September 6th Legislative Election by a year citing Coronavirus pandemic.
Arrest warrants issued for 6 pro-democracy activists residing overseas, including one US citizen.
August 7
US sanctions Carrie Lam and 10 other senior officials in Hong Kong and China for crackdown on protesters.
August 10
10 people were arrested on NSL charges, including Apple Daily publisher,Jimmy Lai, his two sons, activists Agnes Chow, Wilson Li and Andy Li. On the morning of Lai’s arrest, more 200 police raided Apple Daily’s newsroom. The next day, Apple Daily put out its newspaper as usual, but with a five-fold increase of its normal run, all of which sold out withinhours.
Mission
Our mission is to support the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong through:
Showing solidarity with the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong
Raising awareness of the situation on the ground
Advocating for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong
Promoting Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity
How The United States
can help
Please stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong. We need the support of the international community, in particular, the leadership of the United States, to continue the fight for our shared values of freedom and democracy.
On June 30, 2020 Congress launched a bipartisan bill that would give refugee status to Hong Kong residents at risk of persecution under the new National Security Law. The bill, known as The Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act, was sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R–Fla.), Todd Young (R–Ind.), Robert Menendez (D–N.J.), Benjamin Cardin (D–Md.), and Jeff Merkley (D–Ore.).
On July 14, 2020 President Trump issued an executive order revoking the preferential trading status that Hong Kong had enjoyed for more than two decades, and approved sanctions on Chinese officials and banks who materially contribute to the undermining of Hong Kong’s autonomy.
Hongkongers are grateful for the robust response the United States has taken in response to China’s aggression.
You can help by asking your Senate and House representatives to do the following:
Urge the Trump administration to designate residents of Hong Kong victims of persecution as Priority 2 refugees, allowing them to apply directly to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and not count them against the refugee cap.
Ask the administration to Implement and enforce sanctions approved under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act.
Find out more about the movement
