There are no more tents on the streets in Admiralty and Mong Kok and, in some ways, everything is back to normal.
I have returned to my daily routine — I go to school, attend lectures and work part time in a small tutorial center.
My family is more than glad to see me resume my normal life. They don’t have to worry about receiving calls in the middle of the night informing them that their daughter has been arrested because she broke into a government building.
My parents and my sister were really supportive when I was out there protesting. They never forced me to leave the streets.
However, my parents took away my passport when I was invited to testify before the British parliament. They told me this was way too political.
Terrified to travel to China
Attending lectures again actually feels really good.
I skipped most of my classes last semester as I used up all my energy during the nights protesting in Mong Kok or in Admiralty and, of course, my results were poor.
Getting back to school is also a relief because I no longer have to worry about being hit by a police baton or being sprayed with pepper spray or tear gas.
And now I don’t have to sleep on a solid concrete floor, I can finally get some rest at night.
Like other protest leaders, I’ve faced some harassment since we left the streets. My Facebook account has been hacked.
I’m also too terrified to travel across the border to mainland China.
One of my friends, another protester, was detained for more than four hours when she tried to travel there. Luckily, she was only questioned and then sent back to Hong Kong but I don’t have the courage to go back.
Not giving up
But I’m not giving up on striving for freedom and democracy here.
I will continue to devote my time in Keyboard Frontline to defend internet freedom in Hong Kong.
We want the government to abandon the implementation of the Right to be Forgotten (RTBF), which allows internet users to delete search results about themselves on search engines if the information is outdated or inadequate, as it will undoubtedly hinder the free flow of information. It’s particularly important because Hong Kong has no archives law so there’s little transparency.
And to prolong the spirit of “Umbrella Revolution,” we are supporting a new political group formed online — Youngspiration. It will field candidates in the coming district council election.
We will do whatever we can to strive for freedom on the Internet as we believe the Internet plays an important role in spreading news and information.
I hope Hong Kong can become a better place for us Hong Kongers to live.
Perhaps I’m not the one most qualified to change the situation here, but I will not hesitate to try, because this is my hometown and I am bound by duty to protect it.
Facing the Chinese government, a dictatorship that will not hesitate to hurt its own people, is really frightening.
I feel helpless sometimes but I know I am not alone. I have my friends and my partners with me to fight for freedom and democracy here.
With all of us making every effort to defend our rights, I know things will change eventually.