Joshua Wong

“Sometimes it feels as if I major in activism and minor in university.”

“The Umbrella Movement can be described as an encyclopedia. Politicians and student leaders wrote it, and let the masses read it and react passively.”

“Even if the CCP is willing to stick with 'one country, two systems' in principle, no one can say for certain whether Hong Kong's freedoms of speech and the press would survive in reality.”

“As I reflect on the successes and failures of our push for democracy, reading widely in search for a path out of authoritarian rule, I'll keep writing to encourage myself and those on my side.”

“I am absolutely certain that my unlawful detention by the Thai authorities was motivated by their fear of youth movements around the world.”

“We long to have a home where civil freedoms are respected, where our children will not be subject to mass surveillance, abuse of human rights, political censorship and mass incarceration. We stand with all the free peoples of the world and hope you stand with us in our quest for justice and freedom.”

“I think Hong Kong people's struggle for democracy is similar to David versus Goliath. But this struggle is not just about me.”

“I hope to make clear that involvement in small scale community work can make a difference in our city's politics.”

“We do not want to see a Hong Kong that enjoys freedoms on paper but whose autonomous status conceals the workings of a totalitarian state.”

“Carrie Lam is a proxy leader.The final decision-maker is President Xi.”

“It may take a generation to achieve democracy. But our generation must accomplish this and not pass the buck to the next.”

“When I was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, I felt that this should go to all of the Hong Kong people who fight for democracy.”

“Countries often prioritise economic interests over human rights - hence all the kowtowing to China.”

“Self-determination means the political and economic status of Hong Kong should be freely determined by the Hong Kong people.”

“There's no doubt that the Chinese government is waging a full-fledged crackdown on Demosisto.”

“Our city finds itself in an uncomfortable place: on the frontline between freedom and auto_cracy.”

“The Lantos Human Rights Prize is intended to serve as a beacon of hope, justice and human decency in a world too often covered in a shroud of darkness.”

“Beyond the barricades we long to see a Hong Kong free from tyranny and a puppet government.”

“I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.”

“Hong Kong might be a small place, but its people make it unique. The iconic images of skyscrapers in this bustling metropolis are famous around the world, but it is the people of Hong Kong, standing up for their city on the streets, who make it truly great.”