Peaceful 'Free Hong Kong' protest held in NYC

Free Hong Kong protesters held a peaceful rally in New York City on Sunday.

The "Delay No More, Democracy Now" gathering was hosted by New Yorkers Supporting Hong Kong, a NYC-based volunteer group formed to aid the democratic movement in Hong Kong as the resistance fights for autonomy from Communist China.

Signs were laid out in Times Square with "Global Solidarity" painted across them, aligning the "We Are All Hong Kongers" theme. Protestors sang "Glory to Hong Kong," the anthem of the Hong Kong protests, as others waved the Hong Kong flag alongside the American flag. Meanwhile, self-proclaimed communists in America burned the nation's symbol on Independence Day.

Participants were urged to cover in unidentifiable clothing to protect themselves against the National Security Law, NY4HK organizers noted on the group's Facebook event page.

In June, Chinese legislature unanimously passed a new national security law for Hong Kong that could deem anything a threat to "national security" under its provisions. "Secession," "subversion," "terrorism" and "collusion with foreign forces" incur maximum penalties of life imprisonment. But these offences are so broadly defined that they can become catch-all circumstances used in politically-motivated prosecutions.

Hong Kong University law professor Benny Tai was fired on Jul. 28 for his role in the pro-democracy movement.

Two days later, 12 opposition candidates were disqualified from running in the upcoming Legislative Council election. Among them was Joshua Wong, who won the highest voter share in the primary and was allegedly disqualified for calling the National Security Law "draconian."

And on Jul. 31, arrest warrants were issued for six pro-democracy activists residing overseas, including one US citizen.

Despite the atrocities Hong Kong has faced, today's peaceful protest was also facilitated without vandalism, looting, arson, and assault, among other "free speech" demonstrations carried out by Antifa militants and Black Lives Matter activists.

The Left is redefining what "civil disobedience" means in a country that upholds free speech, radicals advocate for communism against so-called fascists who have given the socialist movement the space  to speak and the platform to protest, and violent George Floyd rioters continue to abuse their constitutional protections and encroach further on the First Amendment.

Yet the BLM message is backed by Democratic leaders, even painted by NYC mayor Bill de Blasio in every borough, while "Free Hong Kong" is suppressed by the elites.