ONG KONG — Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong apologized Friday for using American flags in their demonstrations, issuing a statement articulating their intent to exclusively use symbols of democracy and justice moving forward.
"We started these protests because we wanted Hong Kong to have a fair justice system with equal treatment under the law and an open democracy," the statement read, "so we are deeply sorry for using the American flag, which we now understand represents the precise opposite of these ideals. There is no excuse for setting a bad example in this way, and we will learn from this episode."
In Victoria Park, an epicenter of the protests against the Chinese government's influence over Hong Kong, American flags overflowed from trash cans while the flags of New Zealand and Canada flapped in the air.
"When all this began, I brought a U.S. flag because I thought it was an international symbol of liberty," said Lian Jiang, 23, one of many young people who has been out on the streets of Hong Kong for months. "But maybe we should send them some Hong Kong flags for their protests instead."
Chinese leadership was quick to turn the moment into a call for national unity.
"If you want to use a flag that represents hatred for minorities and state-sanctioned violence against civilians, the People's Republic of China is here for you," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a television address to Hong Kong's residents. "I ask you to join us, at gunpoint if necessary, to build a new Hong Kong that sets an example for oppressive governments all across the world."
[Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash]
