bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

Sum Lok-kei

When they first took to the streets against a controversial extradition bill Hong Kong’s protesters were unprepared and underdressed, but as weekly confrontations with police wore on they gradually stockpiled a small amount of protective gear.
On the night of August 1, police raided a unit inside an industrial building in Fo Tan and seized 10 baseball bats, 20 sharpened walking sticks, 15 sets of walkie-talkies, two bows, six arrows, metal balls and several cartons of protective gear – such as helmets, gas masks and arm guards.
Eight people including Andy Chan Ho-tin, the founder of the outlawed Hong Kong National Party, were also arrested.
Learning on the go and admitting the process was risky, protesters involved in gathering and managing resources, such as helmets and first aid kits, have rejected claims their movement has been sponsored or financially motivated.
Lily, an artist in her 20s, says she wore “zero gear” when she joined the first extradition bill protest on June 9. What began that day as a peaceful march, with an estimated 1 million people taking to the streets, descended into clashes between protesters and police later that night.




Six weeks later, during clashes on Hong Kong Island where police deployed tear gas, pepper spray and rounds of rubber bullets and sponge grenades on protesters throwing bricks, Lily was wearing a helmet, a face mask, goggles and her arms were wrapped in cling film.
“Even if you’re not on the front line, there’s a chance of being attacked or injured,” Lily said, adding the level of force used by police had escalated, prompting her to “gear up”.
The sight of well-equipped protesters prompted allegations from Hong Kong’s pro-government camp that the gear was being sponsored.
On LIHKG, an online forum popular among extradition bill protesters, discussions about protective gear were commonplace immediately after clashes with police.
Some officers were spotted using a reflective material on their helmets and shields during a protest on July 13. Protesters imitated the tactic to hide their identities at the next protest on July 21.
Some showed how to apply the material inside goggles, urging others to follow.

A buyer’s guide even sprang up, complete with user ratings and price ranges for protective gear. The guide gave surgical face masks – commonly used during the 2014 Occupy protests – a zero-star rating.
“They are useless and can only cover your face. Stop buying them,” it reads.
On Telegram, another popular forum that allows users to remain anonymous, group chats range from discussions about designs for promotional materials, to a group for Uber drivers who volunteer to take protesters home free of charge.
Before a planned protest, messages circulate on the mobile application, asking what resources are needed and where they could be collected.
Some people also set up pop-up stores selling protective gear at cheap prices to protesters.
The group, which goes by the name of National Crisis Hardware, was seen setting up by the roadside during recent protests, selling gas masks and filters to protesters.

With fears that a protest in Yuen Long – in response to scenes of unprecedented violence on July 21 when a mob dressed in white used sticks and iron rods to attack demonstrators coming home from an earlier march – might also turn violent, the list of requested items included walking sticks, pot lids and swimming floats, among the more conventional resources.
Walter, a recent university graduate managing one of the messaging boards specialising in resources, said most items were donated by members of the public.
“The reality is that resources just appear as many people donate them,” he said.
The board, which has more than 29,000 subscribers, also serves as a lost-and-found for personal belongings left at protest sites.

During a protest in Sha Tin on July 14, locals were seen tossing cling film and umbrellas from residential buildings. It was a scene Walter said he was glad to have witnessed.
“It lets people understand where the resources came from – Hongkongers,” he said.
In early August, some Hongkongers also donated HK$200,000 worth of food coupons for frontline protesters, following reports youngsters were saving money on food to buy protective gear instead.
Surpluses were also stored by trusted parties, such as NGOs and student groups, he added. A Post request to visit a storage facility went unanswered.
Other protesters volunteered to transport the resources. Kate, a protester in her mid-20s, had been supporting the movement from the passenger seat of her friend’s van.
“We never took money and never thought to,” Kate said, adding she had not seen money change hands between protesters either.

She explained protesters looking to move resources from one place to another made use of a private group on Telegram, to ask if any van drivers were nearby.
This is to ensure protesters do not accidentally board vehicles driven by people with drastically different views.
“If the driver is pro-government, you’re screwed,” she said, adding the group had a pool of about 20 van drivers.
The operation was not without its risks; Kate recalled the van once being stopped and searched by police near a protest site in June, but only after it had already offloaded its resources.
Protesters interviewed by the Post also rejected claims by the pro-establishment camp that they were backed by sponsors.
Lily said she had been buying items to donate with her own savings.
“If there is any sponsor, it is my boss, who pays me every month,” she joked.
Lily also pointed to the protesters’ scrappy protective gear, including makeshift shields fashioned from cardboard and plastic bottles.
“If there really was a financier we wouldn’t have bought umbrellas to use as shields,” she said.
Names have been changed to protect interviewees’ identities.


How Hong Kong’s young protesters learned on the hoof and built a reserve of protective gear, and a network of drivers to transport it to demonstrations

Extradition bill protesters passing helmets and other material on Harcourt Road in Admiralty on July 21. Photo: Edmond So

Protesters clear the scene (Harcourt Road) where they remained on the streets overnight after a march from Causeway Bay to the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Admiralty, against the extradition bill and calling on city leader (chief executive) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to resign. 17JUN19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

A police officer uses pepper sprays against protestors during a conflict with protesters on Harcourt Road. Protestors marched from Causeway Bay to the Government Headquarters (Central Government Offices) in Admiralty in protest against the extradition bill. The Civil Human Rights Front has estimated that 300,000 residents have joined their third mass rally against the bill. 09JUN19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Demonstrators march in Sha Tin to demand the withdrawal of the extradition bill. 14JUL19 SCMP / Dickson Lee

Umbrellas in a box, lie on the road after the anti-extradition bill protest that occurred on June 12, in Admiralty on June 13, 2019.  13JUN19 SCMP / Antony DICKSON

News

Hong Kong

Politics


Protesters have learned from experience, sharing tips and even setting up a buyer’s guide in Telegram groups
Some in pro-government camp accuse them of being sponsored but demonstrators say items are donated or paid for out of their own pocket



Protesters have learned from experience, sharing tips and even setting up a buyer’s guide in Telegram groups. Some in pro-government camp accuse them of being sponsored but demonstrators say items are donated or paid for out of their own pocket.


Hong Kong extradition bill

Hong Kong protests

How Hong Kong’s young protesters learned on the hoof and built a reserve of protective gear, and a network of drivers to transport it to demonstrations

Protesters have learned from experience, sharing tips and even setting up a buyer’s guide in Telegram groups Some in pro-government camp accuse them of being sponsored but demonstrators say items are donated or paid for out of their own pocket

Protesters have learned from experience, sharing tips and even setting up a buyer’s guide in Telegram groups

Some in pro-government camp accuse them of being sponsored but demonstrators say items are donated or paid for out of their own pocket