Donald Trump had said at a rally in 2015 before becoming president, "I beat the people from China. I win against China. You can win against China if you're smart. But our people don't have a clue." Remarks like this and policies that go against the Chinese Communist Party is the reason why you might see MAGA hats at pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong.
After a proposed extradition bill in 2019 that could send people charged with crimes to mainland China by Beijing-friendly government officials, thousands of protesters took to the street to protest the bill. The police crackdown on protesters drove up the numbers of people in the streets.
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A group marched with United States flags and pro-Trump make America great again merchandise at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, during the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly.
A group marched with United States flags and pro-Trump make America great again...READ ON
A group marched with United States flags and pro-Trump make America great again merchandise at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, during the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly.
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Protesters step on pictures of Beijing-friendly leaders on a staircase leading to Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020.
Protesters step on pictures of Beijing-friendly leaders on a staircase leading to...READ ON
Protesters step on pictures of Beijing-friendly leaders on a staircase leading to Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020.
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A boy stands at the edge of the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly holding a small pro-democracy flag near his family at Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong.
A boy stands at the edge of the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly holding a small...READ ON
A boy stands at the edge of the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly holding a small pro-democracy flag near his family at Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong.
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Protesters raise their right hands while the song "Glory to Hong Kong" is performed to start the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020.
Protesters raise their right hands while the song "Glory to Hong Kong" is...READ ON
Protesters raise their right hands while the song "Glory to Hong Kong" is performed to start the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020.
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A protester who was part of a group carrying Hong Kong independence flags and using black bloc tactics answers a phone call at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, during the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly.
A protester who was part of a group carrying Hong Kong independence flags and using black...READ ON
A protester who was part of a group carrying Hong Kong independence flags and using black bloc tactics answers a phone call at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, during the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly.
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A group of pro-democracy demonstrators wave American flags at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020. The group was wearing black bloc attire to blend into the crowd to avoid arrest.
A group of pro-democracy demonstrators wave American flags at Edinburgh Place in Central...READ ON
A group of pro-democracy demonstrators wave American flags at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020. The group was wearing black bloc attire to blend into the crowd to avoid arrest.
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A pro-democracy protester stands surrounded by English flags at the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly at Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong. Some groups at the protest marched with flags from different nations as a call for help against the Chinese government.
A pro-democracy protester stands surrounded by English flags at the Karma to Commies...READ ON
A pro-democracy protester stands surrounded by English flags at the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly at Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong. Some groups at the protest marched with flags from different nations as a call for help against the Chinese government.
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Universal suffrage now is spray-painted on a median in a road near Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong.
Universal suffrage now is spray-painted on a median in a road near Edinburgh Place on...READ ON
Universal suffrage now is spray-painted on a median in a road near Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong.
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A group of pro-democracy demonstrators wave American flags in front of City Hall in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, while supporters from around the world showed support via a video screen and organizers spoke about the plans for the protests happening the next week.
A group of pro-democracy demonstrators wave American flags in front of City Hall in...READ ON
A group of pro-democracy demonstrators wave American flags in front of City Hall in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, while supporters from around the world showed support via a video screen and organizers spoke about the plans for the protests happening the next week.
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A demonstrator holds a sign that translates to "Hong Kongers, come on out" at the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly at Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong. The sign has a drawing of Pepe the Frog, which has been associated with the white nationalist movement in the United States but is a symbol of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
A demonstrator holds a sign that translates to "Hong Kongers, come on out" at...READ ON
A demonstrator holds a sign that translates to "Hong Kongers, come on out" at the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly at Edinburgh Place on January 12, 2020, in Central Hong Kong. The sign has a drawing of Pepe the Frog, which has been associated with the white nationalist movement in the United States but is a symbol of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
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Riot police detain someone who they think is a protester on a sidewalk in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020. Many people were stopped, searched and arrested by police after leaving the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly.
Riot police detain someone who they think is a protester on a sidewalk in Central Hong...READ ON
Riot police detain someone who they think is a protester on a sidewalk in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020. Many people were stopped, searched and arrested by police after leaving the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly.
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Riot police stand on a sidewalk to keep protesters and journalists away from people being arrested after thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, during the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly. The rally was held to call on foreign governments to sanction the Chinese government and to plan a march the following week.
Riot police stand on a sidewalk to keep protesters and journalists away from people being...READ ON
Riot police stand on a sidewalk to keep protesters and journalists away from people being arrested after thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered at Edinburgh Place in Central Hong Kong on January 12, 2020, during the Karma to Commies pre-march assembly. The rally was held to call on foreign governments to sanction the Chinese government and to plan a march the following week.
Donald Trump had said at a rally in 2015 before becoming president, "I beat the people from China. I win against China. You can win against China if you're smart. But our people don't have a clue." Remarks like this and policies that go against the Chinese Communist Party is the reason why you might see MAGA hats at pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong.
After a proposed extradition bill in 2019 that could send people charged with crimes to mainland China by Beijing-friendly government officials, thousands of protesters took to the street to protest the bill. The police crackdown on protesters drove up the numbers of people in the streets.
Daniel Shular - Photojournalist
Photojournalist Daniel Shular captures compelling images focusing on politics, conflict and social justice movements around the world.
