Didn’t it collapse because they walked in unison, causing resonance?

Yeah it seems to be the case as China didn’t respect the deal it made with UK to leave Hong Kong autonomous. If 3.5% of China did that it would most likely be a blood bath, be it a violent or non-violent protest.

I think we’re all aware. And Hong Kong isn’t (wasn’t) China in terms of governance(“one country, two systems”). China broke the deal it made with UK, which said Hong Kong would be autonomous until 2048, after which it would be incorporated into China.

But you’re right, not much to do when China claims authority and no one defends its right to free speech, democracy and autonomy.

Edit: added some need nuance on the “one country, two systems”.

Hong Kong was supposed to be free to control itself until 2048, democracy and free speech etc. China the decided that Hong Kong was starting to getting a little too free and started to tell the sitting president to shut the protests down.

China eventually took back control and instituted a national security law that could be used for pretty much anything after the crackdown didn’t quell the unrest.

I was actively following it live as it unfolded. It was very sad to see how much young people fought for basic freedoms and still lost it.

I remember being torn between my general non-violence stance and also understanding the protestors reciprocating the police violence.

Tell that to Hong Kong demonstrators on June 16, 2019, estimated by organizers at 2 million people marching. Hong Kong had a population of 7.5 million at the time.

Sure there was violence both before and after that protest, but mostly caused by violent crackdown by police.

But did it fail because there was violence or was violence a sign of stronger opposition? Causation vs correlation and all that.

Ah, didn’t know that. Thank you for educating me.

I think you’re thinking of tear gas rounds. Trying to bounce rubber bullets sounds less predictable. But yeah, don’t shoot this close, especially not at a peaceful citizen.

It applies to smaller cities as well as fat as you I’m aware, not just mega cities.

I think it’s established fact that you can’t reduce congestions by adding more lanes and roads. Not because of bad road design but because the amount of cars will fill up those new lanes. So saying ‘cars cause congestions’ is pointing at the fact that regardless of how many roads or lanes we have the will be filled. Hence roads aren’t the problem, but cars are.

Then I don’t think you’ve met people. Because I have met people and they do care.

What makes you doubt that? Sure, I’m an internet stranger and can’t know what situation you’re in, but I still wish you well, regardless of what you’ve been through. Is there a reason that makes you doubt that anyone might care even the very least?

It sounds like you’re in a bad place. Sorry to hear you feel that way.

Hey there, who hurt you so bad you gave up empathy all together?

Edit: added a missing ‘up’ in that sentence.

Yeah, and they might spend the US money on exactly that, but that means they can spend their own money on something else, like general welfare, which they apparently do. So they can use US money to kill children in Gaza and spend their own money on healthcare 🤷‍♂️

Actually reread your message and see your point. Sure it’s not free money with no cost of Israel but would Israel be able to defend itself without those funds? It still a matter of money coming in and money being spent on welfare.

The irony is still that Israel, currently occupying Palestine, and in constant military conflict, gets money from the US while still maintaining a functioning welfare system.

Money doesn’t have labels on it. If they don’t need to spend their own money on military they can spend it on other things. So you could argue the US is at least indirectly funding these things.

Yeah I agree, that’s a very bad look for the countries that voted against the proposal. Even China and the Saudis have the moral high ground.

It matters for journalistic integrity and it breaks the trust in factual reporting.

That’s the joke…

Ah, got it!

I recall the SA president saying they do have a violence problem, just not in the way trump is describing it.