Violence harms everyone, Michael Tien warns

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien has rejected comparisons between the storming of the Legislative Council in 2019 and a mob attack on the US Capitol earlier this month, but criticised those who attempt to rationalise violence by protesters in the SAR.

Speaking on RTHK’s Letter to Hong Kong programme, Tien said he couldn’t believe his eyes when seeing the January 6 violence in Washington. He said the causes and characteristics of demonstrations were different, and noted that unlike their US counterparts, Hong Kong police did not open fire on demonstrators.

But he said those who defended the Hong Kong protesters were wrong, and that violence was never the answer to any dispute.

“In the early days of the anti-extradition bill demonstrations, supporters of civil disobedience through destructive action believed it is acceptable to destroy things as long as people are not hurt,” he said.

“Later, this escalated to throwing petrol bombs, setting fires – even to people – and attacking police officers – ostensibly out of self-defence so again, they feel these actions are justified.

“In the end, the violence culminated in widespread vigilantism on hapless victims holding differing views. As long as you accept violence, there will always be reasons to escalate it until everyone suffers.”