I am Hong Kong born and bred.

I came from a grassroots family. Both of my parents worked on a farm, and injustice was commonplace during my childhood. I saw many farmers hawking their produce on the street getting beaten by the police.

I started to take an interest in law and order in the late 70s, when social movements were taking hold in China. My schoolmates and I loved to discuss political issues.

More about my family? Perhaps we should focus on human rights and not go much into personal questions.

I was a Maoist when I was young. Fed up with inequality in Hong Kong’s colonial society, I projected my hopes of a better future towards the land on the opposite shore. I saw China as a wonderland.

I thought it would be easier to realize my dreams there, where the ideology of socialism was maintained. Everyone was equal. Nobody would be left to sleep under a bridge.

I became fixated on human rights when I entered university to study law. It was at that time the Basic Law was drafted.

Hong Kong is becoming more like China. The top management here thinks that their power comes solely from the Motherland.

In my eyes, the Hong Kong government is proactively transforming itself to become the slave of the PRC government. Just listening to what their boss tells them to do. Maybe Donald Tsang is drooling at the prospect of the position of “CPPCC Vice-Chairman” being placed in front of him.

Donald Tsang is only resolute when confronting protestors.

I hope they [government officials] understand that Hong Kong people are no fools! They have underestimated the level of the people’s resentment here; a social toll may come at anytime.

Don’t ever think that repression can solve any problem.

The passing away of “Uncle Wah,” one of Hong Kong’s most influential campaigners for democracy and human rights, is a great loss to Hong Kong. He will be dearly missed.

I believe if the local government keeps ignoring the demands of the Hong Kong people, they will witness the power of the people sooner or later.

“Shameless” is the exact word to describe the Hong Kong Police Force. To me, they are just poor-quality tools in the hands of the government, guardians of unreasonable laws.

I would say that righteous people wouldn’t join the Hong Kong Police.

I feel ashamed that it has become an international joke that the Hong Kong Police are like tofu—they’re weak and easily smashed. It’s amazing to see how they fell to the ground when the peaceful Choi Yuen village protesters were simply talking to them. Incidents such as these reveal how weak they really are.

The most memorable time in my life was the July 1 march in 2003, when 500,000 marchers took to the street, the largest protest ever in Hong Kong since the 1997 handover. It was a success, a great achievement. The introduction of Article 23 legislation [an anti-subversion law] was shelved because of the protest.

I have high hopes for the post-80s generation. They are not calculating and they are willing to fight for what they want and deserve. Their acts are a true reflection of how our society progresses and improves. They are more innovative and dynamic. They are smart.

I feel sorry that they are facing a hostile police and a government that ignores the demands of the public.

I am an optimistic pessimist. A pessimist because I see there’s still a long way to go before the fight for human rights will reach a positive end. Yet, I’m optimistic as I strongly believe in the power of the people—and that one day it will triumph.