Hong Kong: Network Mobilization Against Religious Hegemony (Christian Right)

[Joanne98]

ESWN has translated two Chinese newspapers reports on the rally and Doctor Fat's reflections after the rally:

In the history of religion in Hong Kong, the date Feburary 15, 2009 will be remembered.

On that day, several hundred citizens (mostly netizens) marched in the streets to “support the values of civic society and oppose right-wing religious hegemony.”

As an ordinary citizen and as an ordinary participant, let me first of all sincerely thank the persons who organized the demonstration march as well as the other volunteers. They turned a dream into reality and a call into an action. As I walked along the Cheung Sha Wan Path down to the Flower Market, I was indescribably moved: A group of people with different faiths, different sexual tendencies, different political stances, different education and backgrounds can come together for the same feelings (or perhaps the same anger) in a peaceful, rational and restrained manner.

In fact, all the concerns before the march about any violence were redundant. The marchers may have occasionally yelled out aloud but it did not bother me. Overall, the demonstrators were very disciplined and self-restrained. In front of Yanfook Church, everybody chose to hold a silent protest and to tie blue ribbons on the barriers outside the church. Dr. Chen's reading of “Ask less for love from others, but give all your love out instead” from St. Francis' Prayers was supported and approved.

I saw that the Christians were able to read from the Bible as they marched, I saw that the Hong Kong Golden Forum friends could hold up their banners, I saw that gays could hold their hands together without fear, and I saw that students could protest aloud about the fake responses as well as articulate their vision for education. We came together by respecting each other. We may have argued over the Internet over our views about religion, but once out in the streets, the rationality, restraint and tolerance were admirable and touching.

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/02/16/hong-kong-network-mobilization-against-religious-hegemony/

You tube video at link

[ensho]

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