Hong Kong, June 18: Latest protest movements in Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill which permits suspects in the territory to be sent to mainland China for trial, were marked by coordinated and unprecedented efforts by protesters to keep steps ahead of government identification and surveillance.
According to ANI news reports, a recent Washington Post article has highlighted innovative moves that protesters adopted all through the waves of marches in last week to leave no hint of their actions for the government and their boosted tracking system.
From using secured digital apps like Telegram to purchasing single-ride subway tickets in spite of prepared stored-value tickets, demonstrators offered what it looks like a civil disobedience movement at the time of surveillance state.
Though HK is an autonomous region, it must be noted there was close cooperation with mainland China counterparts.
Other efforts implemented by demonstrators to conceal their identity included: forgoing mobile payments and credit cards in favour of cash payments, avoiding taking pictures and selfies of the crowd, wearing face masks and purchasing pay-as-you-go SIM cards.
Speaking on a condition of anonymity, Caden said, “We are much more cautious now for sure than in 2014 (during the pro-democracy protests). back then, it was still kind of rare for the police to arrest people through social media.”
She added, “People keep telling each other not to take pictures during the protest and only to take wide shots without people’s face on them.”