612 Global Campaign for Hong Kong London Rally
On 12 June 2021, Hong Kong Watch’s co-founder and Chief Executive Benedict Rogers took part in the 612 Global Campaign for Hong Kong Rally in London.
Benedict Rogers:
“Beijing may have temporarily silenced those in Hong Kong. But we know the true voice of a city that yearns to be free.”
“Two years ago a protest movement began that saw over two million Hong Kongers take to the streets. They first marched against an extradition bill, then for democracy and to protect their way of life.
Today the picture could not be more stark. Where you once had vibrant and peaceful assemblies, now a chilling fear reigns across Hong Kong.
All of the protest leaders are in jail, awaiting trial, or in exile, and ordinary Hong Kongers are leaving the city to start new lives abroad.
To mark this anniversary, we pay tribute to the people of Hong Kong who continue to struggle for democracy and in pursuit of a free and open society.
We urge democracies around the world to recommit to supporting the pro-democracy movement, including through the creation of lifeboat schemes, targeted Magnitsky sanctions, and exerting diplomatic pressure on Beijing to free all political prisoners in Hong Kong.
Beijing may have temporarily silenced those in Hong Kong. But we know the true voice of a city that yearns to be free.
It is found in the millions who took to the streets in 2019, in the 10,000 protestors who are now in jail, and in the thousands that have assembled today in cities all over the world to continue the struggle for a free and democratic Hong Kong.
That is why we must all continue to stand with Hong Kong.”