A few days ago, my comrades marked the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover by storming into the legislature, embodying their discontent not only with ongoing political prosecution and the government’s refusal to fully withdraw a provocative extradition bill, but also, most fundamentally, with the undemocratic and inhumane government.

The protesters come from all walks of life. One young scholar removed his mask and shouted the reason why people have to occupy the chamber: to win now or lose Hong Kong forever. If we fail, the authorities will purge dissidents and protest leaders. We are at the point of no return.

Their aims were simple: for the government to fully withdraw the extradition bill, stop defining the recent demonstrations as riots, drop all charges against protesters, hold police accountable for the use of force, and call for the democratic reform.

However, since the authorities have been turning a blind eye to all these sensible appeals, the young and frustrated protesters eventually resorted to a more progressive method to make their voice heard.

Three protesters committed suicide respectively within two weeks for the sake of showing their conviction and arousing the domestic and international concern about the current plight of Hong Kong.