Scattered by the Era

      I had never imagined I would immigrate to the United States. However, it came true, and here I am. Hong Kong is an independent legislative city of China, and it runs its own policy by the Hong Kong government instead of following the regulations of China. However, China interfered the internal affairs of Hong Kong by establishing the extradition bill in 2019. This bill states that if someone commits a crime in Hong Kong, they will be extracted to China for trail. It is perfectly clear that China broke the commitment of letting Hong Kong operate independently in this bill. In fact, this bill means that Hong Kong lost its freedom and democracy. With the bill and consecutive regulations that are being implemented, no one can ever be able to express themselves freely ever. Therefore, my family and I left Hong Kong and immigrated to the United States. 

     When my family and I were still living in Hong Kong in 2019, my father lost his job due to the political stand. He cared about the social issues of Hong Kong a lot, so he knew the regime of Hong Kong was corrupt because of China wanted to take control of Hong Kong. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, my father decided to turn against the government, but his company supported it. While he was working, he criticized the bill with his colleagues. However, someone must have reported my father to his boss, because he got some warning letters after these accusations. Besides, he went on strike a few times to protest and to express his opinions, which is the right to do in a democratic city, yet the company fired him because of his political stand and his actions. My father realized the future of Hong Kong was in jeopardy and uncertain.   

     Because the political situation was deteriorating, my father decided to immigrate to the US with our family. The unpalatable truth that our family had to face is that Hong Kong is no longer a judicial independence city anymore. Many rights have been limited. Therefore, he decided to leave Hong Kong, seeking a better place for my brother and me. Any speech that is against the government is prohibited to say. For example, all student unions of universities in Hong Kong have been dismissed because they spoke against the government. Besides, the Mainland government has also suppressed freedom of the press. It is also now forbidden to express the truth about the bad sides of China. Protesters will be arrested if they report the truths. It is impossible to live in a city without freedom and the right to get the real information.

     

     Moreover, the bill makes me cherish the freedom that I have in the United States, and the memories that I had in Hong Kong. I realized I could not take for granted having freedom, so I am glad that I got a chance to move to another country, to a place with liberty and democracy. I treasure the freedom that I got in the United States ever more. There are many Hong Kong people that still staying in Hong Kong, but their rights have been suppressed by the government. They no longer can live freely. Moreover, I even realized I love Hong Kong more than I could imagine after leaving. I lived in Hong Kong for eighteen years since I was born, so it will always be my hometown. Memories that I had in Hong Kong will always be stored in the deepest of my heart, giving me courage to move forward in this new land. 

     Leaving our hometown was not a simple decision, our family gave up lots of things, especially my parents. However, we do not have any regrets about it, as we cannot bare to live in a city that deprives its citizens of freedom and democracy. If the extradition bill had not been announced, my father would not have lost his job. If the extradition bill had not announced, we would not have left Hong Kong and immigrated to the US.  If the extradition bill had not been announced, I would not have cherished freedom here and the moments that I had in Hong Kong. Although our family is scattered by the chaotic era, we have opened a new chapter for our life. Thanks to my father, I can breathe in the freedom air.