Accountants Add To Protest Tally With March

Thousands of accountants used their lunch hour on Friday to march through the streets of Central to appeal for a government response to the demands of the anti-extradition movement.

They marched silently from Chater Garden in Central to the government headquarters in Tamar. Organisers estimate that 5,000 people took part.

Many spoke out against the assertion that many protesters have been ‘incited’ to oppose the now-suspended extradition bill, noting that they are trained professionals who support the movement of their own free will.

Others lashed out at the Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s previous comment – that the violent protests are backed only by a small minority of people who have “no stake in society” – saying that they definitely have a stake in Hong Kong.

Some accountants also held up placards bearing slogans backing the movement, while some wore the protesters' trademark protective gear in a display of solidarity.

"I would like to express that Hong Kong is no longer the safe place that it used to be," said one man in a full face mask.

"The police are shooting tear gas, innocent people are suffering. I'm a Hong Konger, so I need to show the world, show Hong Kong that, this is what the government pushes us to [do]."

Accounting sector lawmaker Kenneth Leung, who organised the rally, said "we're not intimidated. Every citizen has a right to peacefully express his views, whether it's supportive or against the government".

He said people don’t have to be afraid of possible retribution from their employers, saying "there's no room for any employer to say anything if [the march] is done in a legal way".