In the recent wave of demonstrations to sweep Hong Kong, tensions between protesters and police have continued to escalate.
The protests began with a simple demand for the government of mainland China to cancel a controversial extradition treaty, which would allow the government to arrest citizens of Hong Kong to face charges in China.
However, after weeks of violent clashes with government agents, the list of demands from the protesters has grown to include the release of detained activists and retribution for the police brutality seen during the demonstrations.
According to Foreign Policy, many of the protesters are now calling for all-out liberation from China and independence for Hong Kong.
The protesters in Hong Kong are fighting technologically advanced police forces, but have developed ingenious guerilla tactics to counteract the technological disadvantage.
One recent video, broadcast by Hong Kong’s Now TV, shows a large group of protesters shining laser pointers at police in order to disrupt their facial recognition cameras. Protesters have also taken additional measures, like spray painting camera lenses on the street or around government offices.
In addition to helping crowds remain anonymous by disrupting the cameras in the moment, the lasers can also cause permanent damage to the sensitive lenses on the facial recognition cameras.
According to the International Laser Display Association, “lasers emit concentrated beams of light, which can heat up sensitive surfaces”—like camera sensors—”and cause damage.”
The protesters have also come up with some clever ways of defending themselves against teargas. As you may notice in the video above with the laser pointers, many of the protesters are carrying umbrellas. The umbrellas are used as makeshift shields which protect them from the tear gas.
Many comparisons have been made to the traditional Roman battle formation in which the soldiers lock their shields together to protect the whole group from arrows and other projectiles, as seen in the image below.
Will the umbrellas shield the rioters from bullets as well? The malcontents accomplished their primary objective in overturning the extradition law; they ought to peaceably return to their dwellings and offices. Continued rioting and vandalism may result in the PLA occupying Hong Kong and crushing the riots with force. The CCP is not some weak-kneed Western humanist political institution.
You are not wrong. I note there are better lasers than pointers, and better shields than umbrellas.
Hongkong protesters are on another level!
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Very interesting this is well thought out we should take some tips for when all these recognition and high tec comes here! 💯🐒
Great tactic... And getting it back...
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I #love this post. Respect ;)
Resteemed for #Freedom
John.. you got the vibes, man ;)
Thanks for sharing this is quite a revolution going on over there. My thoughts are with them.
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Honestly, if alliances between Fakebook and ordinary beat cops are being brokered by alphabet agencies, we'll need different attire in public soon. If it keeps up, we'll all be walking around in motorcycle helmets with faceshields and filters, as well as boots, pants, and jackets that look like riot cop gear.
If they keep on surveilling us we'll develop communications that don't require their networks. If they keep on seizing funds we'll develop funds outside their control, unlike BTC, Ripple, and the like. Predation causes evolution. Survivors aren't as easy to eat and it doesn't take long.
Curated for #informationwar (by @wakeupnd)
Ways you can help the @informationwar!
Just to be clear
are NOT and have never been one of the five demands from the protest