Memoirs Of Tear Gas At The WTO Conference In Hong Kong

A slight haze settled over the crowd as dusk approached. The dull roar from the crowd penetrated the misty air as lines of police officers scattered the streets. Banners and flags fluttered in the light breeze with words of freedom, solidarity, anti-globalization and down WTO. A violent group of protesters broke through the police line and there was suddenly two gun sounds in the air. I was on the fringe of the protesters and many started running towards me with their hands over their faces. Then it hit…the swift penetrating air born monster, tear gas. It was like inhaling a thick black powder which quickly attacked the soft innocent pink areas in your chest while constricting your throat and lungs. The first thought was to run and get away as quickly as possible. Then your eyes start to water and burn and your face starts to resemble a raccoon with large round rings around your tender seeing parts. There was a sudden panic of being trampled as I felt like a wildebeest migrating and escaping the vicious predators behind. The people were still fired up and passion and anger fluttered through the molecule infested air. The police lines looked uneasy with their shield and batons, boldly wearing their gas masks with a mocking stare. This was considered the worst protest since 1967 during the Cultural Revolution. It was amazing to see hundreds of police officers standing all night patiently waiting for something more that would never be. The concessions were made and the WTO conference came to an end and people went home. Yet the formidable reality is that people who care about change and protecting the lives of the impoverished showed their colors and made their stand in hopes of a better world.