If You Can Keep Your Head When All About You

Being Americans citizens living in Hong Kong, we get the occasional email message from the U.S. Consulate. The following was in my email inbox last night.

One, a "demonstration" organized by the Hong Kong political parties that marches on a government house does not seem like the appropriate response to the recent tragedy in The Philippines. A vigil, perhaps; but a demonstration?

Second, for a the U.S. consulate to issue a warning that makes reference to "anti-American messages" seems to miss the mark. Widely. Hong Kong simply does not have a history of demonstration that turn violent. As if Hong Kong were Chile.

It was and is a tragic event. As residents of a city-state that violently lost eight of its citizens it's hard to navigate all the emotions that the headlines engender. It doesn't help when political leaders are all over the map with their own responses.

Date: August 27, 2010
From: U.S. Consulate

According to media reports, the Consulate has learned that there will be a sizeable demonstration on Sunday, August 29th, regarding the recent bus hijacking in the Philippines. The major political parties of Hong Kong have all agreed to hold a joint demonstration in Victoria Park beginning at 3:00 p.m. and are expected to continue with a march to Chater House. Organizers are expecting a crowd of up to 50,000.

The Consulate advises U.S. citizens to avoid the Central MTR station and the march route on Sunday afternoon. We do not expect any violence or anti-American messages, but advise you to stay clear of the protests.

Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable. You should avoid them if at all possible. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to what the local news media has to say.