Thread by @benedictrogers

THREAD: I want to share a few reflections & principles about why - & how - I try to support #HongKong's #FightForFreedom, have done so for the past 8 years

1. The most important point is that I have never, ever claimed to represent #HongKongers. All I try to do is support /

2. #HongKongers are among the most courageous, intelligent, creative, articulate, eloquent, brilliant people I know, and they're more than capable for speaking for themselves. I don't speak on their behalf, ever - I merely try to speak in support of and solidarity with them/

And why? For the following reasons:

1. #HongKong was once my home, it was where I began my career as a journalist & activist, & so I believe I have a responsibility to help fight for its future /

2. As a British person, I believe my country has a specific historic, moral and legal obligation to help #HongKong, and I have a responsibility to push my government to do all it can /

3. As someone who believes in #Freedom & has worked for #HumanRights all my adult life, I believe #HongKong is one of the frontlines in the #FightForFreedom, and so I have a responsibility to do what I can to help /

4. #HumanRights and #Freedom are universal values - for everyone, everywhere, all the time.

You don't have to be a #HongKonger to support the fight for #HongKong, just as you don't have to be #Ukrainian to support #Ukraine /

5. But, just as #Ukrainians must be allowed to lead the fight for the future of their country, so too must #HongKongers be empowered to lead the movement for #HongKong's future.

That's why at @hk_watch we are increasing our community civic engagement & empowerment programmes/

6. I have always worked in close collaboration with brilliant, brave #HongKonger friends - from across the breadth of the democracy movement - to ensure it is their voices that are heard, their wishes respected, their goals pursued /

7. Our team at @hk_watch has always included both #HongKongers & friends of #HongKong, & we are recruiting more #HKers as part of our team

It is vital that as more people leave #HongKong and join the growing diaspora, they are given the platforms to continue the #FightForFreedom

8. For me, it has never been about anything other than supporting #HongKongers and #HongKong

It's not about speaking for them, it's about standing with them

It's about collaboration, working together in a common cause - the #FightForFreedom

9. Finally, I'd say that that cause is best served when we unite in the fight, share our constructive criticisms honestly but privately, and work to strengthen rather than divide, to build up not tear down the movement and all its parts

Division only aids one player - the #CCP

10. We can all learn from each other, we can all strengthen and support each other, and we all have a part to play in this epic fight.

Those are my 10 principles and reflections today.

Let's get on with it, together.