Liu Xiaobo memorial a litmus test of protest fatigue in Hong Kong, where democracy movement is divided and disillusioned
A generation aroused by Tiananmen incident to fight for democracy locally and in mainland China no longer connects with young people focused on Hong Kong’s fate, and failure of Occupy Central sit-ins has dulled appetite for activism
On a busy pedestrian street, one recent afternoon in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay shopping district, sprightly Vivian – dressed in a black T-shirt, colourful shorts and bright yellow trainers – scans the crowd for anyone who might lend an ear. The 61-year-old smiles and waves amiably to shoppers. Behind her, fellow demonstrators man a street stand framed by banners announcing their cause.
Near the stand is a bronze statue of Liu Xiaobo, relaxing in an armchair. The late dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who spent his adult life advocating for freedom of speech and democratic reform in China, died on July 13 last year, seven years into an 11-year jail sentence for co-authoring Charter 08, a manifesto calling for broad changes in China’s political system. Liu, too, was 61.
On this summer’s afternoon in early July, Liu’s widow, poet and artist Liu Xia, remains under guard in Beijing. She has endured eight years under house arrest without being charged with any crime.
With their home-made signs and placards, the motley band of volunteer activists, mostly middle-aged or older, stands out, incongruous among the shiny facades of nearby Michael Kors, H&M and DKNY boutiques. The group has been setting up shop in Causeway Bay every day since the end of May.
