Letters | Can Joshua Wong be the leader who inspires Hong Kong protesters to give up violence?

Hong Kong protests

Letters

Published: 8:05am, 17 Nov 2019

Why you can trust SCMP

Dear Joshua,

I come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi. My family has lived in Hong Kong for close to seven years; one of our two daughters was born here. These seven years, we have always felt that we belonged here. We believed that the people of Hong Kong were the most peaceloving. But the last few months have shattered that belief.

History has shown us that lasting effects of democracy, free speech, liberty and human rights tend to be achieved through non-violent movements. Mahatma Gandhi’s followers Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela have shown us the power of non-violent means of fighting for equality and justice.

The movement in Hong Kong lacks leadership. A chaotic situation calls for strong leadership. Someone has to take that role.

Around a month ago, you made statements about Starbucks and Maxim’s and then protesters went on the rampage, vandalising outlets of the two businesses and those of many other companies associated with China.

In this leaderless movement, you are the person who comes closest to being named as leader. I urge you to take that role, but follow the ethos of non-violence advocated by Gandhi and lead a completely peaceful movement.

Gandhi believed in turning the other cheek; and that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. He would go on hunger strike for days if any of his followers resorted to violent acts. He made slow but steady progress in achieving his goals.

University students who have been seen practising archery and hurling petrol bombs believe that police entering their campus is an attack on their sovereignty. Are universities not a part of the society we live in? Clearly the youth are misguided. Somebody must steer them away from the path they are on, which, at the moment, is only leading to destruction.

You, Joshua, must take up the mantle and prevent this vibrant city from dying an untimely death.

Dheeraj Verma, Tung Chung

Hopes and prayers for a return to peace

I, as a respected minority citizen of Hong Kong, want to emphasise that the solution to the biggest problems can be found through dialogue or amicable discussions. That is the spirit of democracy, and its necessity.

Outrage, spreading false news, hateful slogans and trying to kill each other can destroy not only the economy but also the political system, so that people are forced to live a life of misery or poverty.

Everyone should make a renewed commitment to Hong Kong and pledge not to allow such ruin to befall our city. Please be careful and pray for Hong Kong.

Imam Muhammad Anis Attari, Dawat-e-Islami Hong Kong, To Kwa Wan

Don’t let perfect get in the way of good

The challenge in Hong Kong may be that, as has happened throughout history, the idealists are fighting for the perfect solution, and they’re allowing their ideals to get in the way of anything less.

As the saying goes, “Don’t let perfect get in the way of good”. We need to be talking to and collaborating with all parties to try and come up with a version of tomorrow that is workable and positive, and which offers possibilities for developing Hong Kong for the decades ahead.— yes, one which is likely to require compromises all around. Instead, we get vacuous political statements on all sides, escalating violence with no sign of backing down and an increasingly polarised society.

Good is not perfect, but has more chance of success and is better than what we have right now — idealism, anarchy, intransigence and a complete lack of meaningful discussion, leadership and problem-solving.

Martin Rawling, Tai Po

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