The “Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement” in 2019 led to the imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong by the Central Government in Beijing. On the one hand, it comprehensively suppressed civil rights in Hong Kong. On the other hand, it overturned the social order that had been established in Hong Kong for a long time. One of the phenomena is that intellectuals and professionals who used to speak out are excluded from mainstream voices. People who dare to express opposing ideas and opinions are even threatened or arrested.

Fermi Wong, a social worker, is committed to promoting minority rights, human rights, and democratic governance. In the first decade after the 1997 Handover of Hong Kong from the UK to China, her voices and other democratic camps were still heard and accepted. Her professional achievements were affirmed by the regime. These gave her and the Hong Kong society a vision, optimism that a democratic and open society would be realised under “One Country, Two Systems”. It turned out to be a false hope.

After the crackdown of the “Occupy Movement” in 2014, which she had participated in actively, she realised the progress of human rights and democracy in Hong Kong would regress. There was an unprecedented setback to the values she has been pursing in life. The frustration brought her sadness and depression.

Fermi was devastated again upon the brutal suppression of the ” Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement” in 2019, in which lots of her long-standing friends ranging from members of civil rights organisations, politicians, religious leaders, scholars to journalists, were charged or detained. She was warned that she was one of the next targets. Under this threat, she left Hong Kong with deep sadness and guilt in 2020 – “fleeing” to the UK.

Although Fermi is still suffering from depression, she has never forgot her responsibility and persistence to Hong Kong. In the UK, she continues to speak out for human rights and freedom of Hong Kong people. At the same time, she is committed to reconnecting the Hong Kong people and rebuilding the community. Her self-narrated story confesses her pain and vulnerable side, but also let the audiences feel her resilience and hope.