Officially, July 1 marks the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. Traditionally, it was also a day for tens – or even hundreds – of thousands of Hongkongers to take their diverse demands and grievances to the streets. From pro-democracy groups to labour unions, from LGBT+ rights advocates to artists wielding satirical effigies, the July 1 march was the most important date on the annual protest calendar. It served as a fundraiser for dozens of NGOs, was testimony to Hong Kong’s thriving civil society, and acted a barometer for free speech. For years, the government vowed t…
