Hong Kong governments says umbrellas are like Kung Fu weapons of mass destruction
Twitter Exposure 108,792 │ 2014.10.17 12:27
- Miriam Basco
A lawmaker in Hong Kong who supports the Chinese government reportedly cited Kung Fu movies as a justification for the violent crackdown on the protesters who have become known as the "Umbrella Revolution."
According to the South China Morning Post, the politician, Leung Che-cheung, told his colleagues on the Hong Kong Legislative Council the umbrellas protesters have been using to block tear gas could be used as an "aggressive weapon" and necessitated a violent response by police officers. To prove his point, Leung cited martial arts movies.
Local news site ejinsight said that Leung also said the protesters, who could be seen raising their hands during confrontations with the police, were actually adopting a fighting stance in the popular Wing Chun style of martial arts; at the same time, Leung was specifically referring to movies about Chinese folk hero and martial artist Wong Fei-hung where he was portrayed fighting his enemies by using an umbrella.
"It is basic common sense that an umbrella can be an aggressive weapon, but many lawmakers are just completely ignorant about history," Leung said. Meanwhile, Hong Kong police have been battling the anti-government protesters since last month with tear gas, pepper spray and beatings.
