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activism
actions speak louder

> olympic torch rally, hong kong

> WTO protests, hong kong

> media hyping, hong kong

> mcdonalds, hong kong

> maxim magazine, hong kong

> worker's rights, hong kong

> G8 protests, edinburgh

> press quotes, hong kong

WTO protests, hong kong

My activist alter-ego, the 'Chicken of Justice' spent the month leading up to the WTO meeting leafleting around Hong Kong in a chicken suit (blissfully unaware that, in Chinese culture, a chicken represents 'prostitute'). My actions caused quite 'a flap' and led to radio interviews, some TV "appearances" and a quote on the news wires.

press coverage, click to enlarge

media hyping, hong kong

During the WTO protests, the Hong Kong media reported rumours of mass gas mask purchasing, suicide protests and alleged stolen uniforms. ATV referred to scuffling activists as ‘militants' and the protest area as a 'war zone', whilst TVB used stock footage of violence from previous protests to promote their coverage.

Reporters ignored where most protestors were assembled (by the harbour) and TVB dramatically went live with the reporter donning a crash helmet in front of the riot police. However, she only wore the helmet during the live shot, as apparently instructed by the control room to do - the rest of the crew wore no protection.

indymedia story - click to visit

In what was a peaceful, verbal direct action, I tried to raise awareness of the distortion to the audience - in the hope of subverting and hijacking the live reports of Hong Kong's two most powerful TV news outfits. I now admit that my actions may have added to the drama of the live report. However, it was the TV crews themselves which instigated the scuffling seen in the video!

At least the comedy value remains - a 6-foot white chickenman diagonally re-entering shot whilst being rugby tackled is sure to trivialise the broadcast in some way!

A few days later, Free-to-air CNN, with an audience of millions, ignored the 5000 protestors by the harbour, and thus also found their live shot of the police lines trivialised by an oversized chicken yelling and clucking about their lack of integrity. Minor celebrity anchor, Mike Chinoy, seemed amused yet unimpressed.

can't see the video? download flash here

Prominent law professor and globalization critic Jane Kelsey wrote, “The Hong Kong government is mustering all its propaganda skills to create a climate of fear as the meeting approaches, to justify cracking down on any dissent and keep the substantive issues off the front pages."

mcdonalds, hong kong

On May Day 2006, as part of local activist group International Action, we dismantled a huge, inflatable McDonalds advertisement dominating Hong Kong's harbour. We were highlighting the lack of minimum wage in the territory and made the front pages. McDonalds sued for criminal damage, Matt Pearce was sentenced to 3 months in prison.

press coverage, click to enlarge

maxim magazine, hong kong

Following our stunts around the territory as International Action, Maxim Magazine did a splendid photoshoot and interview with us about our activism. If only I could read what was written...

coverage, click to enlarge

worker's rights, hong kong

Whilst many of Hong Kong's teachers agreed with the recent education bureau's reforms, they and their unions felt the changes were being imposed too quickly, without the appropriate resources or consulation. Teachers were calling for smaller class sizes and a lighter workload rather than more work and exams.

click to enlarge

Attending a rally on 23/1/06 with International Action, we found that our best reaction came from the teachers themselves. Every school employs Western English teachers though - aside from us - none appeared to turn out, thus, we were applauded for showing support and solidarity.

press coverage, click to enlarge

15,000 teachers and supporters marched. Education secretary Fanny Law said that two suicides indicated only two people were upset about reforms. We wanted to highlight that behind two suicides you may have dozens of people 'on the edge', hundreds depressed and thousands stressed out. Our signs, in Cantonese, read 'No more suicides - how many more teachers on the edge?'

G8 protests, edinburgh

Representing Development in Action, I spent two days at the G8 / Make Poverty History protests in Scotland.

click to enlarge

"I think there are going to be a lot of people here for a variety of issues-capitalism, the environment, poverty, debt, trade justice," said student Tom Grundy, from the English Midlands, as he got off his train from London.. "I think making trade fair is the most important issue".

- AFP

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