Multiple Flash Mobs Mourn Death Of Chow Tsz-lok

Groups of people joined numerous flash mobs across the city on Friday lunchtime, many of them fighting back tears as they mourned the death of university student Chow Tsz-lok.

The 22-year-old died earlier in the day after lying in a coma at Queen Elizabeth Hospital since being found seriously hurt amid clashes between police and protesters in Tseung Kwan O on Sunday.

On the campus of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where Chow studied computer science, students gathered to hold a minute of silence in his memory. A candlelight vigil was also being arranged for 6pm.

The university decided to cancel a congregation on Friday afternoon as a mark of respect, as well as cancelling afternoon classes as a precautionary measure.

One student, surnamed Ng, said it was right for the university to cancel the graduation ceremony, which she was supposed to attend.

“I don’t think we can celebrate our day because [Chow] passed away,” Ng said, choking back tears. "I think we should postpone our graduation or even cancel it to memoralise him."

Many others saddened by Chow's death joined spontaneous demonstrations across the city, with a large crowd gathering in Chater Garden, lots of them wearing masks in spite of the ban imposed last month.

Hundreds marched through Central, blocking traffic at some points, chanting slogans and holding up their hands to show that Hong Kong's anti-government protesters still have their "five demands".

Around a hundred people later occupied the junction of Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road Central, chanting "Hong Kongers, take revenge!" and "Disband the police force".

A woman, who gave her name as Hannah and said she was a teacher, told RTHK she blamed the government, the police and the Chinese Communist Party for the unrest in the city and that she was very angry and sad about Chow's death.

“I am absolutely heartbroken, and infuriated. I’m so, so angry … and this is the only way I am able to express that,” she said.

Crowds also gathered in Kwun Tong and Kowloon Tong, while others, including office workers on their lunch breaks, were out in Taikoo.

Some held up posters decrying the fact that the ambulance sent to help Chow on Sunday night was delayed from reaching him and alleging that the police were responsible for the hold-up.

There was then a silent march through the streets.

Students and pro-democracy lawmakers had earlier demanded answers as to how the student came to get his injuries. Many believe he fell from one floor of a car park to another while running away from police tear gas, although this has not been confirmed.

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