Hong Kong Democracy Movement Photo Documentary
Donation protected
Hello!
I am Jose Lopes Amaral. A Luso-Luxembourgian Photographer working as an Independent and Freelance Photojournalist and Documentary Photographer focusing on Social Issues, Human Rights and Unrests.
On June 12, I went to cover a protest. I thought it would be just a protest like the others I already experienced, but I was wrong. I did not know that I was about to cover a very special moment that is suspected to be a turning point in history. I was in Hong Kong for documenting my first demonstration against the "New Extradition Law" and saw the Hong Kong Police cracking down on protesters and journalists with pepper spray, tear gas, bean bags and rubber bullets.
I experienced intimidation all day by some very aggressive police officers and I even had one of them pointing at me with one of this "Tear Gas Guns" after I helped two local photojournalists to get out of a tricky situation (police shoot at them with tear gas at a very close distance. Here is a link if you want to know more about this specific story: https://observers.france24.com/en/20190614-hong-kong-protests-photographer-police-viral ).
After June 12 of 2019, I returned back to Hong Kong to cover two new protests. Sheung Shui on July 13 and Sha Tin on July 14. I saw again, police losing control, repressing and cracking down on protesters, of course, these protesters started fighting back and if you follow the recent protests of Hong Kong you know the results.
Between this period (June 12 and July 13, 2019), 4 young Hong Konger’s sacrificed their lives by jumping from buildings leaving letters or inscriptions on walls with very specific requirements for the future of Hong Kong and its people hoping that Carrie Lam (Hong Kong executive chef) would listen to them. But she did not do it. She never talked about them, she never showed regrets.
Today, this law is set on the ice, but for the people of Hong Kong, fighting this law is no longer a priority.
Today, Hong Kong people want democracy and universal suffrage. Some even demand Independence.
For you and me living in Western countries, we believe that our rights are granted. The people of Hong Kong thought the same. At least until they realized that the Chinese Government (CCP) had already begun to undermine these rights. I want to be one of the witnesses of this young generation that is fighting for a free Hong Kong and document this independence movement.
I want to immortalize this moment in the history of Hong Kong and make it available for the next generations that are to come.
Besides this Photo Documentary Project I would like to publish a book and why not an Exhibition (if there are any people that would like to collaborate on the book with me (combine text to the phots p.ex) let me know.
But I have an issue...
Documentary Photography is expensive to produce especially if you work as an independent/freelance Photographer like me.
Each story I cover costs me airfare, lodging, equipment (helmet and Protections, Gas Mask), insurance, etc. All this keeps me from covering important stories like this one when they appear.
But you can help me and contribute to this project by a donation and/or share this "Go Fund ME Project".
In return, I promise to do my best to document your cause and I also will be more than happy to offer you some Prints from my Work. You can see the total of my work on www.joselopesamaral.com
Thank You for your support in advance.
Jose Lopes Amaral
I am Jose Lopes Amaral. A Luso-Luxembourgian Photographer working as an Independent and Freelance Photojournalist and Documentary Photographer focusing on Social Issues, Human Rights and Unrests.
On June 12, I went to cover a protest. I thought it would be just a protest like the others I already experienced, but I was wrong. I did not know that I was about to cover a very special moment that is suspected to be a turning point in history. I was in Hong Kong for documenting my first demonstration against the "New Extradition Law" and saw the Hong Kong Police cracking down on protesters and journalists with pepper spray, tear gas, bean bags and rubber bullets.
I experienced intimidation all day by some very aggressive police officers and I even had one of them pointing at me with one of this "Tear Gas Guns" after I helped two local photojournalists to get out of a tricky situation (police shoot at them with tear gas at a very close distance. Here is a link if you want to know more about this specific story: https://observers.france24.com/en/20190614-hong-kong-protests-photographer-police-viral ).
After June 12 of 2019, I returned back to Hong Kong to cover two new protests. Sheung Shui on July 13 and Sha Tin on July 14. I saw again, police losing control, repressing and cracking down on protesters, of course, these protesters started fighting back and if you follow the recent protests of Hong Kong you know the results.
Between this period (June 12 and July 13, 2019), 4 young Hong Konger’s sacrificed their lives by jumping from buildings leaving letters or inscriptions on walls with very specific requirements for the future of Hong Kong and its people hoping that Carrie Lam (Hong Kong executive chef) would listen to them. But she did not do it. She never talked about them, she never showed regrets.
Today, this law is set on the ice, but for the people of Hong Kong, fighting this law is no longer a priority.
Today, Hong Kong people want democracy and universal suffrage. Some even demand Independence.
For you and me living in Western countries, we believe that our rights are granted. The people of Hong Kong thought the same. At least until they realized that the Chinese Government (CCP) had already begun to undermine these rights. I want to be one of the witnesses of this young generation that is fighting for a free Hong Kong and document this independence movement.
I want to immortalize this moment in the history of Hong Kong and make it available for the next generations that are to come.
Besides this Photo Documentary Project I would like to publish a book and why not an Exhibition (if there are any people that would like to collaborate on the book with me (combine text to the phots p.ex) let me know.
But I have an issue...
Documentary Photography is expensive to produce especially if you work as an independent/freelance Photographer like me.
Each story I cover costs me airfare, lodging, equipment (helmet and Protections, Gas Mask), insurance, etc. All this keeps me from covering important stories like this one when they appear.
But you can help me and contribute to this project by a donation and/or share this "Go Fund ME Project".
In return, I promise to do my best to document your cause and I also will be more than happy to offer you some Prints from my Work. You can see the total of my work on www.joselopesamaral.com
Thank You for your support in advance.
Jose Lopes Amaral
Organizer
José Lopes Amaral
Organizer
