Signing the Petition
Protestors line up to sign a petition to be presented to a representative of the Consulate General of the United States.
Children at the Protest
Young children join their parents holding signs provided by Socialist Action. A few families attended the rally. These kids, although born in Hong Kong are not eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Marching towards the U.S. Consulate
Accompanied by a police escort, protestors move from Chater Gardens towards the U.S Embassy.
Police Presence
The police presence and documentation of the protest made asylum seekers appear uneasy.
Onwards and Upwards
Undeterred by Police presence and blazing heat, protestors make their way up the tight corridor on Garden Road outside the U.S. Consulate.
Protestors outside Consulate General of the United States Offices
Gathered on the far side of the Consulate General offices, Protestors wait for a representative to receive the petition.
Long Hair unites with Protestors
Legislative counsellor, Leung Kwok-hung ( most commonly known as Long Hair) arrives. Calling for Snowden's pardon, hailing him as a hero and condemning President Obama as a "criminal'.
Only a handful out of 11,000
There are 11,000 asylum seekers in Hong Kong but only a handful are seen here today. Among them is Sabir Butt (49) (pictured above in red) an asylum seeker hailing from Pakistan. He came to Hong Kong in 2008 with his family feeling religious persecution, he has yet to achieve refugee status. Although his daughter was born in Hong Kong she is not eligible to receive permanent residency. Sabir joined the protest to show solidarity and attributed to the lack of turnout to fear and English illiteracy,"they don't know English, this is the problem, maybe most of the people don't know what's going on". Despite today's turn out he continues to urge his fellow refugees to come together in a show of "unity", to stand against discrimination, and demand the basic right to work.
The Refusal
Protestors are told by Sally Tang, Chairman of Socialist Action that their petition has been refused by U.S. consulate officials.
Protestors attempt to stick placards onto Consulate General Building
A brief scuffle with police ensued as frustrated protestors tried to stick posters onto the building itself. The attempt was unsuccessful.
Post Scuffle, Leung Kwok-Hung leads protestors back down Garden Road
After the brief commotion with police, Legislative Councillor Leung Kwok-Hung leads protestors away from U.S. consulate back down through Central.
Unsuccessful but still Defiant
Despite being refused by the U.S. Consulate, protestors march back towards Chater Gardens. Spurred on by their conviction to bring justice, not just for Snowden, but for the refugees in Hong Kong that face injustice and discrimination.
