Tipsheet

Hongkongers Beg Trump To Liberate Them But Things Quickly Turn Violent

Beth Baumann
Beth Baumann  |  September 08, 2019 10:36 AM

Thousands of pro-Democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong took to the streets with American flags and signs, demanding freedom in their country. Protestors sang the Star Spangled Banner and even had signs asking President Donald Trump to liberate the city, which is under Chinese rule, as they marched towards the United States' consulate.

“Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong,” they shouted before handing over petitions at the U.S. Consulate, Reuters reported. “Resist Beijing, liberate Hong Kong.”

The goal of the protest was to urge members of the United States Congress to support the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. If passed, Congress would reevaluate trade and business privileges for Hong Kong and China on a yearly basis. If officials in Hong Kong and China were suppressing Hongkongers' freedoms, the United States could punish them on the trade front, the New York Times reported.

"We share the same U.S. values of liberty and democracy," 30-year-old banker David Wong told CNN. "USA is a country of democracy. Donald Trump is elected by his people. We want this."

The protests were initially peaceful but turned violent when protestors blocked a subway entrance and then set it on fire in the Central District, which houses high-end shopping brands, banks and jewelry stores, the New York Post reported. Police had to use tear gas to break up demonstrators. 

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President Donald Trump has said he believes China needs to "humanely" settle their disagreements with Hong Kong before the United States and China reach a trade deal. 

Although Hong Kong and China are considered one country, they have two systems of government. Hongkongers have more freedoms than those on the mainland. Protestors, however, feel that leaders in Beijing are trampling those rights.

Here's a look at the protests: