Hong Kong’s umbrella revolution may be the politest protest ever

HONG KONG—Walking through the protests that have closed down central Hong Kong for more than two days can turn up some surprising scenes. Sure, the pro-democracy crowds, mostly teenagers and twenty-somethings clad in black, are singing songs, chanting slogans, and brandishing signs denouncing the Chinese government and Hong Kong’s chief executive, C.Y. Leung.

But they’re also quite possibly the most well-mannered activists ever, who seem as hellbent on leaving behind a good impression as they do agitating for the city’s top elected official to step down—and telling Beijing to stuff it.

This sign is one of many apologies posted around the city:

Best sign I’ve seen all day. @OCLPHK @HKFS1958 #OccupyCentral @TIME http://t.co/8vDxT3eliP pic.twitter.com/FSJRVvzYQ5

— Rishi Iyengar (@iyengarrishi) September 29, 2014

Here’s another, posted in Mongkok:

A very polite note from a protester in Mongkok. http://t.co/314yeVcUOj—
Lily Kuo (@lilkuo) September 30, 2014

Protesters are constantly picking up trash, including cigarette butts and tiny scraps of paper:

Trolley woman – a lone protester cleans up a main road with a shopping cart #OccupyCentral #OccupyHongKong pic.twitter.com/6t8DBFogLd

— Jacky Wong (@jackycwong) September 30, 2014

Not to mention being sure to recycle:

Removing caps so empty bottles can be recycled properly #OccupyHongKong pic.twitter.com/mEGDrzLuFE

— Heather Timmons (@HeathaT) September 30, 2014

Teenage “occupiers” in school uniforms have been spotted diligently doing their homework:

School kids do their homework in the streets at Hong Kong protest pic.twitter.com/pZXkDOaSTp

— Richard Frost (@frostyhk) September 29, 2014

And protesters are observing posted signs, even though their protests have been deemed illegal:

Best #OccupyCentral protest behavior: RT @JoshTANoble: Please keep off the grass. And they do. pic.twitter.com/APzManHuaz

— Andre Martin (@AndreMartin) September 29, 2014

The protesters’ politeness may be one of the reasons that, despite changes to dozens of bus routes, companies being forced to ask employees to work from home, and entire neighborhoods made accessible only by foot, the demonstrators have not sparked much general ire from other Hong Kongers. Instead, the students were joined last night by tens of thousands of supporters. Tonight’s crowds are expected to be even larger.

Hong Kong’s umbrella revolution may be the politest protest ever