Shana Okayama
My name is Shana, I am 15 turning 16 in September. I was born in Tokyo, Japan however, I have lived in 3 countries. I moved from Japan to Beijing in 2010 then moved to Hong Kong in 2014 and moved back to Japan early this year. During my time in Hong Kong, I learned how to sail and fell in love with the sport. The feeling of the boat accelerating with every gust of wind and surfing the waves back and forth. I started racing and trained hard and was invited to the Hong Kong national team to represent Hongkong to sail around the world. Unfortunately, I had to move to Japan hence forcing me to turn down the opportunity of a lifetime. However, I am trying out for the Japanese national team in October. For the last couple of years in Hong Kong, I witnessed the umbrella movement in 2014 and the protests towards the end of 2019. I wrote an article about what’s going on in Hong Kong to share what it was like to live there while the people of Hong Kong fight for their freedom.
HongKong has been under the “one country, two systems” arrangement. Meaning, Hong Kong is part of China however follows in a democratic system, unlike China. April 3rd 2019, Secretary for Security John Lee announced the Extradition Bill to the people of Hong Kong. The extradition bill would allow criminals and wanted people detained and transferred to countries and territories including mainland China and Taiwan. March 15th 2019, the people of Hong Kong gathered in Causewaybay demanding the withdrawal of the bill. People who joined the protests would wear black shirts and trousers to represent their participation in the protests. Most people would also wear helmets, goggles and gas masks when police started throwing tear gas and shooting rubber bullets in the crowds during the middle of July. The clash between the police and activists became violent leading the police to start arresting protestors and firing bullets and tear gas. A total of 2600+ injuries and 9216 people arrested and HKD 5.36 billion (US$755 million) dollars worth of damage. The bill was withdrawn however the protests continued to fight for full democracy and an inquiry into police actions.
During these months of protests, my classmates and I are still attending school. I know many of my classmates who joined protests and would come to school wearing masks and helmets on their way to school. These few months we were also not allowed to wear black clothing on any events the school might be hosting. My classmates and I would go to the mall on the weekends and end up in the middle of the protests desperately trying to not get tear-gassed. Unfortunately, I knew many people who would get tear-gassed on their way to or back from school. It was a dangerous and vulnerable time for everyone. There have been many occasions where protestors or local Hongkongese would be attacked and abused on trains and buses. Public transportation such as trains and buses were closed early for prevention of the protests. The Polytechnic University of Hong Kong was burned down because the police and military raided the campus to arrest 200+ students. The students had possession of homemade petrol bombs that they later used to attack the police with. The protesters were forced to barricade themselves in the University for days. Those who tried to escape would be attacked with tear gas and forced back in the building. Even though there is alot going on in HongKong it does not cancel the fact that it is a stunning country with friendly people. I do miss my friends and my home and I wish to visit soon.
Shana Okayama