[culturestate]

This movement (which has been building for years) has one very specific goal: true universal suffrage and free elections. Whether that comes as a protectorate of China or as an independent state seems almost inconsequential to many people.

Everything else (extradition, the five demands, et cetera) is just a series of sub-plots leading to self governance.

[pishpash]

They had that chance in 2014, but rejected all compromise or incremental improvement.

[culturestate]

Elections aren't free if you can only vote for candidates that have the government's blessing.

[pishpash]

Ask the question whether CE being elected with more direct votes is a better or worse outcome than now. There is an element in HK that only has one possibility in mind, ending up with nothing. That's called extremism.

[culturestate]

It would be exactly the same outcome with different numbers. Do you really believe the CCP would allow someone like John Tsang to run in a situation where he might actually win? Of course not.