Vietnames American youth group in support of Hong Kong students Please join UVSA & community youth groups in a candlelight vigil on the evening of Sunday, October 19 to increase awareness of the Hong Kong protests. Vietnamese American youth and student organizations are holding a candle light vigil and rally this Sunday evening down in Little Saigon, Orange County from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: Lee's Sandwiches on Bolsa and Moran (9261 Bolsa Ave, Westminster, CA 92683) Please wear black and bring an umbrella (yellow umbrella preferred). We will be doing a walk along Bolsa starting at 7:30 PM. Thank you!

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1533162923596512/

☂ What's going on in Hong Kong? "What's going on in Hong Kong right now is a very big deal... Hong Kong's citizens are protesting to keep their promised democratic rights, which could be taken away by the central Chinese government in Beijing." Source: Vox (http://www.vox.com/2014/9/28/6856621/hong-kong-protests-clashes-china-explainer <http://www.vox.com/2014/9/28/6856621/hong-kong-protests-clashes-china-explainer>)

☂ Why now? Hong Kong used to be colonized under British rule for 150 years until 1997, when Britain handed over Hong Kong to the Chinese government with the condition that Hong Kong would be able to maintain its state of autonomy. Part of the deal was that in 2017, Hong Kong's citizens would be able to democratically elect their top leader for the first time ever. However, the Chinese government have been showing signs throughout this year that they might "renege on its promise." One of the ways in which they have begun doing this is by screening the candidates who are running for this post, thereby interfering with the democratic process.Sources: Vox, CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/30/world/asia/objects-hong-kong-protest/index.html <http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/30/world/asia/objects-hong-kong-protest/index.html>)

☂ Who is protesting? The protests are being peacefully led by student groups. Not everyone in Hong Kong supports this movement, particularly the older generation because of their fear of "antagonizing" China. The movement began with a group led by a university law professor in Hong Kong, and two other main student groups are Scholarism, led by a "precocious 17-year-old, Joshua Wong, and the Hong Kong Federation of Students, led by Alex Chow, 24, and his deputy, Lester Shum."Sources: Time (http://time.com/3471366/hong-kong-umbrella-revolution-occupy-central-democracy-explainer-6-questions <http://time.com/3471366/hong-kong-umbrella-revolution-occupy-central-democracy-explainer-6-questions>), CNN

☂ What is the significance of the umbrellas? "The key symbol of the protests is the humble umbrella. Since it was used to shield protesters from the tear gas and pepper spray deployed by police, the umbrella has become a ubiquitous sight on the frontlines, and given the movement its name. Protesters are bringing in umbrellas in bulk and distributing them for free, sleeping under their shelter and writing slogans on them. The umbrella was not only functional but had a symbol of passive resistance." Source: CNN