ADHRRF — On September 28, 2019, days before the 70th Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) founding anniversary, a gathering called “Democracy for Hong Kong, Netherlands Stands with Hong Kong” was held in Dam Square, Amsterdam as part of the “Global Anti-totalitarianism Rally” in strong support of Hong Kong protesters.
The event day was at the time of the 5th Anniversary of Umbrella Revolution. The sponsors of the rally, Netherlands for Hong Kong, are a group of Hongkongers living in the Netherlands, and they wrote on Facebook that on September 28, 2014 the peaceful demonstration of Hong Kong people was suppressed by 87 tear gas and evolved into the Umbrella Revolution of 79 days. Today, five years later, democracy development fails to make any progress, while tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets have become a commonplace on the Hong Kong streets. Hong Kong is faced with an unprecedented crackdown after its handover to China, where freedom of speech and personal safety no longer exist. They called on more people to stand up together and support the democratic movement of Hong Kong.
About 300 people including Hongkongers, Chinese and foreign residents in the Netherlands attended the rally in support of Hong Kong and against the CCP’s tyranny.
At the beginning of the rally, the sponsors introduced the situation of the Hong Kong protest movement with videos, involving the growing tension between China and Hong Kong, and read the 9.28 rally statement, reaffirming Hong Kong’s “Five Demands, Not One Less.”
Mr. Stijn Deklerck, the Netherlands representative of Amnesty International, was invited to speak at the rally. He called on the Hong Kong government to ensure that the Hong Kong police would not use excessive force against peaceful demonstrators but provide the people with freedom to talk. He also urged members of parliament to discuss the new Netherlands-China policy on the premise of protecting human rights in the State General on September 30.
Among the attendees there were a number of Christians having fled from mainland China to the Netherlands because of the CCP’s persecution. They shared the same totalitarian pressure as Hongkongers.
A Christian said that the CCP is destroying the “one country, two systems” principle and attempting to impose dictatorship on Hong Kong. “We can not stand by to see Hong Kong becoming another mainland China. Please take action to support Hong Kong and protect Hong Kong!” He said.
He revealed that in China the Communist power is greater than the law. Despite the freedom of religion granted by the Constitution, the CCP has been persecuting Christians arbitrarily. His family of three were forced to flee to the Netherlands to escape the CCP’s arrest and persecution, fully aware of the CCP’s cruelty and evil.
A Christian from the mainland China is speaking at the event. (Photo: ADHRRF)
A Christian from The Church of Almighty God (CAG) said, “The 70 years of the CCP’s rule in China is a history of killing. It has caused the unnatural death of more than 100 million Chinese people. Now its evil hands have extended to the democratic system. Wherever it reaches, it brings terror and disaster as happening in Hong Kong.”
She called on more people to stand up, not be afraid of the powers that be, stop being silent, and unite in support of Hong Kong.
During the rally, the song “Glory to Hong Kong” was ringing in Amsterdam once again.
