Post-it notes removed from Hong Kong House

By Jessica Rapana

A display of support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests has been removed from the walls of Sydney’s Hong Kong House.

The display, made up of a series of Post-it notes containing messages of encouragement to protesters, was established on September 29 after a group of Hong Kong Sydney University students rallied more than 500 others at Town Hall Square to march to Hong Kong House.

Marchers signed a petition and wrote Post-it notes, which were then stuck to the brick walls of the building housing the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO).

The Post-it notes, which were written in Chinese and English, contained powerful messages such as “We need democracy in HK”, “We want real democracy now!”, and “Hong Kong people! Never give up!”.

Post-it notes and pens were left at the building for passers-by to write messages from September 30 to October 6. The Post-it notes attracted Hong Kong and Chinese expats as well as empathetic Sydneysiders.

The petition was handed to the HKETO, after receiving about 1200 signatures.

A spokesperson for the HKETO said the organisation respected the freedom of expression by members of the public.

The Post-it notes were taken down by concerned students and members of the public of their own volition on October 6, the spokesperson said.

University of New South Wales student Frank Luk, 21, has been at the helm of these Sydney-based support movements.

Mr Luk, who created the Facebook group Sydney Hong Kong Concern, is originally from Hong Kong but has been living in Australia for two years.

Mr Luk said the march and the Post-it notes aimed to draw people’s attention from all over the world.

These actions were also part of the global solidarity movement – which had received support from Hong Kong nationals living overseas in a number of foreign cities.

“No matter what nationality or race you are, now there is just a group of people fighting for democracy,” Mr Luk said.

He hoped movements, like the one in Sydney, would encourage people fighting in Hong Kong.

Many of his friends had been seriously injured in the protests, he said.

“I wish I could participate because I really want democracy.”

While Mr Luk passionately supported the protests, his Hong Kong-based family did not, he said.

“They do not support democracy, because this is the point of view of older Hong Kong people – ‘just focus on what you are doing’.”

The older generations tended to focus more on a stable society and life rather than social justice, he said.

While some middle-aged Hong Kong people supported the protests wholeheartedly, others – often referred to as “economic animals” – prioritised business and money, he said.

The Hong Kong protests began more than two weeks ago, after university students and activists rallied to oppose Beijing’s decision to rule out a fully democratic Hong Kong election in 2017.

It is now commonly dubbed the “umbrella revolution”, as umbrellas being used for heat protection became shields from tear gas and pepper spray by riot police.

The gatherings blocked several transport routes, causing some schools, businesses and offices to close temporarily.

Last week student leaders agreed to formal talks with government, after protest numbers dwindled.