Hong Kong protesters embrace 'V for Vendetta' Guy Fawkes masks

HONG KONG: As Hong Kong raged with the worst political violence so far this summer, many of those hitting the streets adopted a new symbol - smiling Guy Fawkes masks.

The face coverings, made popular by the comic book and film V for Vendetta, have been embraced by multiple protest movements in recent years, particularly Anonymous hactivists and Occupy Wall Street.

But until recently they had not made much of an appearance at the huge demonstrations currently battering Hong Kong.

That changed on Tuesday when China celebrated 70 years of Communist Party rule with a massive military parade in Beijing.

Protesters in Hong Kong dubbed the celebrations a "Day of Grief", and took to the streets in huge numbers as battles raged for hours with police.

Many online forums encouraged protesters to wear Guy Fawkes masks.

The masks first appeared in the early 1980s in the cult-hit comic V for Vendetta by British writer Alan Moore.

In his book a masked anarchist takes on an imaginary British fascist government by blowing up the Houses of Parliament - echoing the ultimately unsuccessful actions of the real Fawkes in 1605, who attempted a Catholic rebellion.

A 2005 film based on the comic brought Moore's character mass appeal.

One man, protesting on Tuesday while wearing the mask, said he took inspiration from the book's protagonist as demonstrators push communist China for full democratic freedoms.

In this picture taken on Oct 1, 2019, a group of protesters cover their faces by wearing Guy Fawkes masks, popularised by the V For Vendetta comic book film, in Hong Kong. (Photo: AFP / Yan Zhao)

"The character of Vendetta is a symbol of anti-totalitarianism around the world. I believe this vivid character would bring international attention and concern," he told AFP.

Later that day an 18-year-old demonstrator was shot in the chest as he and a group attacked police officers.

The incident, which police have said was justified, has sparked more protester fury.

At a sit-in outside the teenager's school on Wednesday, a person delivered a statement condemning police - hiding his face behind a Guy Fawkes mask.

Hours later, protesters held a "Citizen's Press Conference" in the same district. Two speakers were wearing the masks.

rookie06 on October 2nd, 2019 at 12:04 UTC »

I'm curious of what will happen the 5th of November

Shadow_Log on October 2nd, 2019 at 09:56 UTC »

Here a quote by Alan Moore, the writer of V for Vendetta, in regards to Occupy Wall Street protesters using the mask:

"I suppose when I was writing V for Vendetta I would in my secret heart of hearts have thought: wouldn't it be great if these ideas actually made an impact? So when you start to see that idle fantasy intrude on the regular world ... it's peculiar. It feels like a character I created 30 years ago has somehow escaped the realm of fiction"

As for those masks, he sees them as an embodiment of the title of V for Vendetta's final chapter: Vox populi.

"Voice of the people," he said. "And I think that if the mask stands for anything, in the current context, that is what it stands for. This is the people. That mysterious entity that is evoked so often—this is the people."

wootlesthegoat on October 2nd, 2019 at 07:47 UTC »

I always thought it was ironic that mine was made in China. Full circle!