US must stand with people of Hong Kong fighting for freedom

“Over the past two months, the world has seen the people of Hong Kong bravely stand up to the growing threat of totalitarianism.

What began as a protest against a bill that would allow prisoners to be extradited to mainland China has evolved into a movement to demand that the Hong Kong government (largely now controlled by China’s Communist Party) adhere to the promises of freedom and autonomy it made when Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.

Protesters have flooded the streets since June – despite the threat of being arrested, smothered with tear gas, pelted with rubber bullets or attacked by masked thugs with batons.

While Chinese tanks have lined up along the border of Hong Kong and mainland China, protesters have waved the American flag and sung the American national anthem. The protesters show no signs of wavering and the outcome remains in doubt.”