How extradition bill protests have united locals and ethnic minorities in Hong Kong
- Families fear harsher immigration policies with perceived growing mainland influence, while some feel one with residents fighting for the same cause
As hundreds of thousands throng Hong Kong’s streets in the annual pro-democracy march on July 1, fuelled by opposition to the now-suspended extradition bill, Zain Syed, 25, a British-born Pakistani, is among protesters fighting for the future of his adopted home.
Clad in black, the colour adopted by demonstrators, Syed is exhausted from the searing heat and crowds, and has not eaten since waking up. He is among ethnic minority members in the city – an often marginalised group – who stand with locals as Hong Kong is deep in the throes of one of its biggest political crisis.
If there is any silver lining from the turmoil, it would be that anger at the government has transcended skin colour and cultures, uniting otherwise disparate groups in the city.
Syed, who has lived in Hong Kong for 23 years since moving to the city with his parents, has published videos to raise awareness of the extradition bill on his own YouTube and Instagram accounts since May, and has joined various rallies and non-cooperation movements.
The controversial legislation was intended to allow for the transfer of crime suspects to jurisdictions with which the city has no such arrangement with. Critics fear Beijing would use it to target political opponents, and those sent to the mainland would not receive fair trials.
