Some also sell protest-related gear or artwork to collect money to provide financial aid to arrested protesters
Some Hong Kong students wore black to their school Christmas celebrations this year.Hong Kong’s secondary students attended school Christmas celebrations on Friday dressed in back to show support for the city’s ongoing protests. Most Hong Kong schools hold an annual Christmas party, where students are allowed to wear casual clothing. On Friday, many students opted for an all-black outfit, similar to the clothes usually worn by protesters, in support of the city’s pro-democracy movement.
“At our school, I think about 70 per cent of the students wore all black today. The school teachers didn’t appear to try to stop anyone,” said Jack Wan, a 17-year-old student from Methodist Church Hong Kong Wesley College.
He added that many Hongkongers would struggle to enjoy Christmas this year, as they are still mourning those who have died in cases related to the protests, or thinking of those who have been injured or arrested. “At the same time, Hongkongers have never been this united before. The protesters have continued to look out for each other, and that definitely brings much warmth to the city,” he said.
In addition to wearing all black, students at St Paul’s Secondary School organised a charity sale of Christmas cards featuring protest slogans during the celebrations.
The students were selling the cards for HK$5, and said they would donate all profits to groups that offer financial support to the arrested protesters.
Although students at Ying Wa College didn’t get to wear their own clothes to the party on Friday, they were seen selling protest-themed hoodies they had designed on campus. Printed on the hoodies were protest slogans and a photo of the protesters storming the Legislative Council on July 1.
Hong Kong protests: University station to reopen, MTR Corporation announces
Bowie Tang, a 17-year-old student, told Young Post: “[Originally, our designer only] designed a hoodie just for fun, we never expected we could produce it!”
They had received more than 300 orders within three days from their fellow students, alumni and even the general public. So far, they had produced 300 pieces, and would consider ordering a second batch if there are more orders.
The hoodies were sold for HK$200 each, with all profits going to organisations that provide financial aid to arrested protesters.