From a small corner of the Chinese nation, a place where the concept of democracy has hardly ever been put into practice, a political upheaval has begun. And although the saying about �not discussing politics over dinner� is dutifully practiced here, and apathy and silence are the norm when it comes to politics in Hong Kong, lately it is impossible to escape the political buzz. Although democracy is a fairly new concept in Hong Kong, over the past few months the people have embraced it with fervor. Hong Kong does not have universal suffrage, it is not always clear who appoints officials and indeed whether appointers themselves are even Hong Kong citizens, the question of how strong mainland power can be here is still ambiguous and in general the Hong Kong government system lacks true checks and balances. Despite all these obstacles to creating a viable democracy, the Hong Kong people pack a mean democratic punch. And, considering recent democratic movements, including the half-a-million man march on July 1st, it seems that the US citizenry could learn a few lessons from the Hong Kong people about how to use democratic tools to preserve what is becoming our own fledgling democracy.
Many Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders looked eagerly to the US government for support in the recent fight against Article 23, proposed anti-subversion legislation that potentially restricts the rights of Hong Kong people, including the right to free speech. It is not clear, however, that the US is the best place to look. The US is, in theory, a bastion of democracy. However, with the implementation of the Patriot and Homeland Security Acts (our own less obvious versions of Article 23), human rights and democratic freedoms, even those enshrined in our model Constitution, have been trampled. Surveillance, searches without probably cause, detainment without due process, secret hearings, and military tribunals, even for American citizens, are all tolerated under this new legislation. And it is the unwillingness of the American citizens to speak out against these clear infringements of constitutional rights that has allowed these draconian measures to infiltrate our once democratic system. In effect, we have already allowed our government to carry out the measures Hong Kong people fear might be carried out in their own country if Article 23 is passed. Yet in the US, when it comes to our own rights we aren�t saying a word.
The important question now is not what a growing democracy like Hong Kong can learn from the US in building their own democratic system, but what the US citizenry learn from Hong Kong people about how to preserve the few democratic rights we still possess? In the overwhelmingly well-attended march on July 1st, the Hong Kong people showed the world that they would not stand for an unaccountable administration willing to pass legislation that obliterates their rights and privileges, their �inalienable rights�. Hong Kong people have demanded formal inquiries and resignations, and have insisted that their government be more accountable to the people. The democratic movement in the US, by comparison, appears non-existent. Even as more and more reports are released, which validate claims that the civil rights and liberties of American citizens are being eroded, the bulk of the American citizenry remains silent.
It is time for the US citizens to openly question the motives of the current administration, and to encourage the government to start acting in the real interests of the American people. Is this administration truly �by the people�? How long can we let this continue? American citizens need to hold their government accountable for actions carried out in their name. These actions directly impact civil liberties at home, and have dangerous consequences overseas. American citizens should take a lesson from Hong Kong�use your democratic rights to affect change. Democratic rights and privileges are what make America a respectable nation. Use your voice, call your legislators, take to the streets, demand inquiries. Take responsibility.