<![CDATA[How extradition bill protests have united locals and ethnic minorities in Hong Kong]>

As hundreds of thousands throng Hong Kong's streets in the annual pro-democracy march on July 1, fuelled by opposition to the now-suspended extradition bill, Zain Syed, 25, a British-born Pakistani, is among protesters fighting for the future of his adopted home.

Clad in black, the colour adopted by demonstrators, Syed is exhausted from the searing heat and crowds, and has not eaten since waking up. He is among ethnic minority members in the city " an often marginalised group " who stand with locals as Hong Kong is deep in the throes of one of its biggest political crisis.

If there is any silver lining from the turmoil, it would be that anger at the government has transcended skin colour and cultures, uniting otherwise disparate groups in the city.

Syed, who has lived in Hong Kong for 23 years since moving to the city with his parents, has published videos to raise awareness of the extradition bill on his own YouTube and Instagram accounts since May, and has joined various rallies and non-cooperation movements.

The controversial legislation was intended to allow for the transfer of crime suspects to jurisdictions with which the city has no such arrangement with. Critics fear Beijing would use it to target political opponents, and those sent to the mainland would not receive fair trials.

Syed, who is a flight attendant, opposes the bill because "freedom of speech is the core value of Hong Kong".

Referring to the policy under which Hong Kong is granted a high degree of autonomy by Beijing, he says: "I know 2047 is the deadline under 'one country, two systems'. Still, I do not want to see my home become assimilated in advance.

"It is not about race or nationality. Anyone who supports the anti-extradition bill protest and truly hopes for the good of Hong Kong can be called a Hongkonger.

"During the protest, some rally-goers recognised and thanked me for voicing out their cause."

Despite standing as one with locals, Syed, whose friends are mostly Hong Kong-born, says the challenges to blend in still exist in everyday life. "Even if I introduce myself as a Hongkonger, people still ask, 'so where are you from exactly?', which is offending to me."

This feeling is mutual for Saaleh Hafeez, 21, an undergraduate from Polytechnic University. He has Pakistani roots but grew up in the city, and feels as invested in its fate as any other Hongkonger.

He has helped to raise awareness in the Urdu-speaking community by translating videos related to the bill, as well as preparing flowers to mourn those who were said to have lost their lives over the matter.

As of Friday, three deaths of young people have been linked to the protests, with two suicide attempts going viral online.

Experts have warned that the heightened anxiety and uncertainty in a city rocked by protests may give rise to more mental health problems among people.

"The protests matter to me as I recognise myself as a Hongkonger. This is my home. I will always protect it," Hafeez says.

Meanwhile, a petition against the bill created by Indian social worker Jeffrey Andrews has attracted more than 800 signatures among the ethnic minority communities. Nicole Izsak, 54, a Jewish expat who has lived in the city for 10 years, is among supporters.

Since the 2014 Occupy movement, she became more politically active and joined every anti-extradition bill demonstration. Protesters are now pushing for the full withdrawal of the suspended bill, among other demands.

Nicole Izsak is a Jewish expat who has lived in Hong Kong for a decade. Photo: Handout alt=Nicole Izsak is a Jewish expat who has lived in Hong Kong for a decade. Photo: Handout

"Being engaged politically has enabled me to feel more that I'm part of the city," Izsak says. "It has been a privilege to get to know Hong Kong better, and I feel that I can play a small part."

She thinks her identity as an expat has changed ever since. "I feel more integrated through struggling with the people. I feel more like a real Hongkonger."

For other ethnic minority members such as Jenny Rai, a 21-year-old Nepalese student born and raised locally, it is the fear that encroaching influence from mainland China could spell trouble for the community.

Rai says her family is concerned that increased control from the mainland may bring harsher immigration policies for non-Chinese minorities. Her mother even encouraged her to join the protests, an unusual move among ethnic minority parents.

Jenny Rai, 21, is a Nepalese student born and raised in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout alt=Jenny Rai, 21, is a Nepalese student born and raised in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

While Rai is fluent in Cantonese and has assimilated well, she admits her family and ethnic minority friends still struggle to fully integrate into Hong Kong because of stereotypes they face daily.

"There's a high chance we may get kicked out of Hong Kong first because, for some Hongkongers, we are parasites," she says.

However, she hopes that the extradition bill movement can remove such perceptions. "More ethnic minorities are engaging issues politically. We stand together with Hongkongers, we are not taking resources for free and doing nothing."

The most touching moment for Rai during the June 16 march was when she chanted slogans like: "Go, Hongkongers!"

She says: "I felt goosebumps because we are all connected as one, just Hongkongers with different colours."

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

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