International Action
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
campaigning a range of issues including social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
. The group was founded in 2004 and is made up of expatriate permanent residents and locals. Their website http://www.thebiggerpicture.hk claims that they "represent the new breed of foreigners who are here [in Hong Kong] without the expatriate perks", however, they invite anyone to join them. The group is committed to non-violence. The group uses a mixed strategy of campaigning both in public and behind the scenes.
Beliefs and approach
The group's website states that it believes the democratic movement in Hong Kong needs to change it's strategy to be more effective in the fight for real power for the people. It says the democratic camp should consider using tactics that are right for the cultural, social and political situation of Hong Kong in 2008.Past action
- On April 30, 2006, the group deflated a large McDonalds advertisement located on top of North PointNorth PointNorth Point is a mixed-use urban area in the Eastern District of Hong Kong. It is the northernmost point of Hong Kong Island, adjacent to both Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay, and projecting toward Kowloon Bay. Fortress Hill occupies the western end of the North Point area.-History:In 1899, The...
Ferry Pier. The group was calling for better worker's rights and a minimum wage for Labour DayLabour DayLabour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for...
, the following day. A member also described the inflatable bill-board as an 'eyesore' on the harbour.
- On January 23, 2006, the group supported teachers' unions demanding less pressure in Hong Kong schools. The group wore nooses around their necks to symbolise the increasing number of teacher stress-related suicides in the territory.
- On December 21, 2005, Matt Pearce, dressed as Santa ClausSanta ClausSanta Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
, climbed onto a structure across Connaught Road, Central, while the Legislative CouncilLegislative CouncilA Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
voted on constitutional development. He was subsequently charged with causing a public nuisance and given 100 hours of community service.
- On December 4, 2005, group members, in costume, joined the democracy march to oppose the government's 5th report on Constitutional Development.
- On July 6, 2005, members dressed in tribal African clothing and unfurled a banner demanding more to be done at the G8G8The Group of Eight is a forum, created by France in 1975, for the governments of seven major economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1997, the group added Russia, thus becoming the G8...
meeting to tackle poverty in Africa.
- On July 1, 2005, the group dressed as cartoon characters 'The IncrediblesThe IncrediblesThe Incredibles is a 2004 American computer-animated action-comedy superhero film about a family of superheroes who are forced to hide their powers. It was written and directed by Brad Bird, a former director and executive consultant of The Simpsons, and was produced by Pixar and distributed by...
' and joined the territory-wide pro-democracy demonstration.
- On June 3, 2005, Matt Pearce climbed to the top of large outdoor TV screen in Central and unfurled a banner that said "Tiananmen Square 4.6.1989 : Justice Must Prevail". For this protest, he was convicted of causing a public nuisancePublic nuisanceIn English criminal law, public nuisance is a class of common law offence in which the injury, loss or damage is suffered by the local community as a whole rather than by individual victims.-Discussion:...
and given a 21 day prison sentence.
- On May 17, 2005, on the first International Day Against HomophobiaInternational Day Against HomophobiaThe International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is celebrated every May 17.It is coordinated by the Paris based "IDAHO Committee" founded and presided by French academics, Louis-Georges Tin...
, the group dressed up to support the gay and lesbian community and demand that gay marriage is made legal.
- On May 1, 2005, Labour DayLabour DayLabour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for...
in Hong Kong, the group staged a protest dressed as Supermen in a branch of local supermarket 'Park n Shop'. The group handed out $50 notes to staff, suggesting that the amount would be an appropriate minimum wageMinimum wageA minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
for Hong Kong workers.
- On April 1, 2005, April Fool's Day, the group dressed as clowns, suggesting that the upcoming election for Chief Executive was a joke and Hong Kong people wanted full democracyDemocracyDemocracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
.
- On March 14, 2005 on the eve of the 2005 Budget, a member dressed as Robin HoodRobin HoodRobin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
and handcuffed himself to the front door of the Hong Kong Stock ExchangeHong Kong Stock ExchangeThe Hong Kong Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in Hong Kong. It is Asia's third largest stock exchange in terms of market capitalization behind the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange and fifth largest in the world...
. The group wanted more to be done to help the poor in Hong Kong.