Writer Lu Yu and photographer Chan Long Hei interview eight participants of Hong Kong’s historic two million person march to protest the China extradition bill.

By Lu Yu (路嶼)

Photography by Chan Long Hei (陳朗熹)

This piece first appeared in The Reporter and is translated and reprinted with permission of the author and publisher.

Hong Kong's government described recent protest rallies as "riots" after one million people marched against the China extradition bill on June 9, and the "Occupy Admiralty" rally on June 12. Under public pressure, Hong Kong Chief executive Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥) announced the government would suspend the bill, but not withdraw it. The public was furious, leading a record two million people to attend the scheduled June 16 rally.

After the march, protesters surrounded the Chief Executive and Legislative Council buildings. By 7pm, the roads were full of people, including areas near the Lennon Wall, Tamar Park and surrounding overpasses. People raised their hands to clap and cheer each other on, and shouted slogans like "withdraw the extradition bill" and "Carrie Lam step down!"

Hong Kong after June 16, is a new Hong Kong. The fatigue and depression that set in after the Umbrella Movement has dissipated amid these new cries for justice. Hong Kong's social movements have once again opened up a whole new way of thinking: no big platform, but plenty of fellow travellers. Through tacit and peaceful occupation of the streets to communicate with the government, their actions speak louder than words. The past two years have not been peaceful, and the future of Hong Kong is back in the hands of its people.

It wasn't just the images of two million protesters that were so striking, it was the little details that gave the rally a heartfelt character. In their own ways, people were participating in a struggle between the individual and the authoritarian state. They brought new ideas, weary bodies, and an indefatigable hope. Everyone at that march was a hero of Hong Kong, and everyone deserves to be remembered.

We talked to a number of Hong Kongers on June 16. Who are they? Why did they come out? What do they want to say to the government? Wearing black clothes and carrying white flowers, history will remember these courageous Hong Kongers, who for one night, became bright stars in the night sky.

1. Ms. CHEUNG (張小姐) — 28 YEARS OLD