Five activists from Hong Kong organized a protest on Saturday, three days ahead of the fifth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demanding a cessation of hostilities and an end to the fighting.
Five members from the HK Anti-war Mobilization activist group gathered at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront on Saturday afternoon, displaying signs and chanting slogans that criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “expansionist” conflict in Ukraine – until their demonstration was interrupted by officials.
Among the five demonstrators were Yu Wai-pan, a former member of the defunct League of Social Democrats political group, and left-leaning activist Lam Chi-leung.
Lam carried a sign that read: “Ukraine is not for sale,” while the only female demonstrator held one stating, “Occupation is a crime” and “Putin, see you in ICC,” referencing the International Criminal Court.
The group issued a statement in both Cantonese and English, strongly criticizing Russia’s war, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, as well as “two Hongkongers who volunteered to fight.”
The group was mentioning two men from Hong Kong whoreportedlypassed away during a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located in southern Ukraine, while serving with the Ukrainian military.
‘Ceasefire now’
Positioned in front of the artwork The Flying Frenchman, located outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the protesters yelled: “Reject dominant aggression,” “Russia, implement a ceasefire immediately, pull out your forces now.”
They also demanded the seizure of Russian oligarchs’ properties to finance Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts.
The same group paraded in Tsim Sha TsuiIn October, to commemorate the second anniversary of Israel’s conflict in Gaza, they demanded an end to the fighting and expressed solidarity with Palestine. They shouted slogans like “End the genocide” and “From Ukraine to Palestine, occupation is a crime.”
On Saturday, the activists’ statement mentioned: “Our backing for Ukrainians’ right to determine their own future remains strong… Every country should stop supporting Russia. We remain with Ukraine in rejecting an unjust peace agreement and in not yielding to a powerful nation.”
The group also criticized the United States for its “self-serving effort to capitalize on Ukraine’s natural resources” and for keeping Ukraine out of discussions. It also criticized Russia’s allies and nations that have kept purchasing natural gas from Russia.
The demonstrators also expressed backing for anti-war initiatives in Russia, where a widespread suppression has resulted in the detention of approximately 20,000 demonstrators.
The group stated, ‘We must emphasize that anti-war activism is not illegal. Russia should release anti-war activists without delay and stop its suppression of dissenting voices.’
The demonstration continued for roughly half an hour until officials from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) requested the activists to depart.
According to a studyReleased in late January by the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), approximately 500,000 to 600,000 Ukrainian forces and roughly 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed, injured, or listed as missing since the conflict started on February 24, 2022.
The research estimated the number of Russian soldiers who died at 325,000, while the death count for Ukrainian forces ranged from 100,000 to 140,000.
The United Nations saidIn mid-February, it was reported that over 15,000 civilians had died and more than 41,000 had been injured in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.
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