In a day of commemorations for the 60th anniversary of the end of the second world war, huge crowds joined the Horse Guards Parade. And yes, it was only a few days after the 77 Terror Attacks on London. ‘A Churchillian hand-signal to the bombers’, wrote John Simpson, BBC world affairs editor.
‘Walking in the hot sunshine in the Mall with my family, I could see that the people round me felt much as I did: they were quietly celebrating their freedom. Not chanting or burning flags or screaming insults at enemies real or imagined, just enjoying themselves.’ Recorded Mr Simpson.
‘And if there were people who were stupid or inadequate enough to make threatening calls to Muslim organisations, or shout at Muslims in the street (or - such is their ignorance - at Sikhs as well) we saw no sign of them in the Mall.’
‘Police relaxed on the grass in St James's Park once they had carried out their duties searching the invited audience.’ Reported the
Financial Times.
‘When Joe Pasquale and Bradley Walsh paid homage to Flanagan and Allen at Horse Guards,’
The Independent reported, ‘Cheers went up as they belted out: “The bombs may fall on London town, but you will never get us down.”’
* * *
On 1st July 2003, 500,000 Hong Kongers turned out to demonstrate against plans to impose a national security law (known as ‘Article 23 legislation’) on Hong Kong, which was deemed as a deprivation of civil liberties.
It was a very hot day. I walked with my friends from Victoria Park to Central. It took six or seven hours. People were frustrated since there had been no sign whatsoever that the Beijing-backed government would shelve the bill. People were angry for the maladministration. People were anxious for the loss of freedom.
But there was no criminal damage. No tyre burning. No assault. No confrontation between protestors and the police. Dozens of people were sent to hospitals - because of dehydration. Shop owners selling water and soft drinks had a good day.
Quite unexpectedly, the demonstration forced an official backdown of the unpopular bill. As
The Economist put, ‘Never before, in the 54-year history of the People’s Republic, has peaceful popular protest achieved anything of the kind.’
* * *
In the words of John Simpson, ‘But we mustn't throw away the calm and self-possession which every decent society needs. It's not weakness; it's our greatest strength.’ I could not think of a better way to put it.
Link:
Destination: Hong KongSources:
BBC News - London bombs need calm response
BBC News - Poppy tribute on World War II day
The Economist - Hong Kong rebels
The Financial Times - Outrages fail to deter crowds from war's 60th anniversary show
The Guardian - In the shadow of terrorism, veterans enjoy tribute to resilience, humour and courage
The Independent - Poppies and prayers for veterans of Second World War
The Times (London) - ‘Today we follow the example of the war generation’
