Canadians taking part in Hong Kong's 'umbrella revolution'

A Canadian in Hong Kong says that “piles of Canadians” are taking part in the so-called ‘umbrella revolution.’

Andrew Work, the President of the Canadian Club — a social organization for Canadians in HK — says that as he was struck by the number of them as he walked through the protests on Wednesday wearing his McGill University t-shirt.

"Going down there and talking to people, these are people that never thought they would be political but they feel like now is the moment," Work, who is also the Editor in Chief of the Harbour Times, told Yahoo Canada News in a telephone interview from Hong Kong.

"Sunday night…a lot of people said they weren’t planning on going. But they saw people getting tear-gassed and just dropped what they were doing and headed down to central."

The pro-democracy student-led protests — attracting thousands of people — are in reaction to Beijing’s plans to vet candidates for the next Hong Kong leadership election in 2017.

The movement has grown over the past several weeks — despite clashes with police — and peaked on Wednesday as the Chinese celebrated a national holiday.

The protests may escalate even more in the coming days — according to BBC News, student protesters have vowed to occupy government buildings if Hong Kong leader CY Leung does not resign by Thursday.

Work predicts that, despite fears of Tianimin Square-style violence, the protesters are resolute.

"You see girls in short shorts and mini-tank tops and high heels…and they get the tear gas and after they finish throwing up and wiping their faces off and getting it out of their eyes their ready for more," he said.

[ Related: Defiant Hong Kong protesters demand leader steps down ]

There are approximately 300,000 Canadians living in Hong Kong. Many of these are Hong Kong-born Canadian residents who have returned to Asia, while others, like Work, are Canadian-born.

Perhaps, as a result of the large Canadian diaspora, the Harper government isn’t shying away from taking a strong position.

"We are concerned by the worsening tensions in Hong Kong," Adam Hodge, spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird told Yahoo Canada in an email exchange.

"Canada stands with the democratic aspirations of the Hong Kong people. The rule of law and the good governance of Hong Kong are truly valued by Canada. We reiterate our support for the implementation of universal suffrage for the election of the Chief Executive in 2017 and all members of the Legislative Council in 2020."

[ Related: Hong Kong protesters fed by Prince Edward Islander ]

A Canadian professor teaching at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, however, suggests that Baird’s public support for the demonstrations doesn’t help the situation — and could make it worse.

"With such a large part of the Hong Kong diaspora living in Canada, Canadian politicians may have their own domestic political reasons in expressing support for the protests here in Hong Kong," Bryan Druzen told Yahoo Canada News.

"Although it may seem counter-intuitive, in my view, the best course of action is to do nothing. My sense is if the international community intervenes, even if this comes in the relatively benign form of declarative support, Beijing will react unpredictably.

"The Chinese government has historically shown itself reluctant to do anything that may be interpreted by the Chinese people as bowing to foreign pressure. My fear is that external involvement would bring about the exact opposite of the intended effect: it may trigger a rapid escalation in an already tense situation for sides."

With or without international interference, Druzen warns that the protests could expand and multiply thanks to Hong Kong Chinese’s proficiency of social media.

"As a Law professor at a university where much of the student body is participating in these protests, I know first-hand how technologically proficient the educated youth of the city is," Druzen, who had conducted extensive research into the impact of social media upon civil unrest, said.

"With a wealthy, politically advanced, and technologically-savvy populace, I fear we may have a perfect storm."

(Photo courtesy of The Canadian Press)

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