We 'shouldn't have to give our lives:' Hong Kong protester shot by police speaks out
(CNN)The
21-year-old unarmed protester who was shot and critically injured by a
police officer in Hong Kong has spoken out for the first time since the
incident, describing democracy as a basic human right -- and not
something people should have to die for.
The
shooting of Patrick Chow, which was captured on video and shared widely
online, set off a chain of increasingly violent events with clashes
erupting across the semi-autonomous Chinese city on November 11. The
shocking and bloody scenes were among the worst since the pro-democracy, anti-government demonstrations began almost six months ago.
In
a one-on-one interview with CNN Saturday, Chow argued that the
government -- and not the protesters -- must take responsibility for the
continued unrest.
"The
government is forcing us citizens, telling us peaceful means can't
accomplish what we want," he said. "That's why these things have kept
escalating. "
In a press conference
after the shooting, police said that a traffic officer was arresting a
protester when Chow ran towards him. Footage of the shooting shows the officer grappling with a protester before Chow approaches the scuffle.
In
the video, the officer raises his gun, and Chow appears to try to wave
or slap the gun away as he nears the officer. The officer then fires at
close range, to screams from the surrounding crowd of protesters and
passersby.
The officer fired the
gun because he believed Chow was trying to snatch his gun, and felt he
was facing threats from two directions -- Chow and the other protester,
said a police commander.
If the gun
had been taken, "the consequences would be disastrous," said another
police spokesperson. He added that the case would be under
investigation, but that they believed the officer did not have "bad
intentions." The officer has gone on leave, but has not been suspended.
According to Chow, however, the police officer had no reason to fire.
"(The
police officer) took out his gun and pointed it at the guy in the white
jacket," Chow said, referring to a second protester at the scene. "And I
said, why are you pointing it at him? He's done nothing, we've done
nothing."
Following the shooting,
Chow was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he said doctors removed his
right kidney and part of his liver. The effects of those procedures were
still clearly visible Saturday. Unable to stand up straight, Chow
walked with a slow limp, his torso heavily bandaged.
Asked
whether democracy is worth dying for, Chow reverted the question.
"Democracy and freedom are basic things. But the Hong Kong government
has denied it to us," said Chow. "The Basic Law (Hong Kong's
mini-constitution) said we had the right to vote. So we shouldn't have
to give our lives for this -- the government must give us our right."
Since
the shooting, Chow claims he has slept badly. The wounds hurt -- but
his mental health has also taken a toll. Sometimes at three or four in
the morning, he will abruptly awake from nightmares in which he relives
the moment of the shooting. The images play out in his mind -- the
officer raises the gun, points it at him, and fires.
Asked
if he would ever forgive the officer, his answer was immediate and
emphatic. "No, never forgive," Chow said. "He took my kidney."
Chow
was arrested for unlawful assembly and attempted robbery of the gun,
police told CNN, but he has not yet been formally charged. He is now out
on bail, and will report for bail in December. He has been legally
advised not to discuss the events that preceded the shooting.
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