Secondary School Students' Firefly Rally

Project

EXH-004

Location

Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong

Date

14 September 2019

On 14 September 2019, six secondary school students organized a rally at Edinburgh Place in Central, named the "Firefly Rally" (螢火之荊). The name carried a double meaning: students, like fireflies, each carry their own small light — and together, their collective glow might help Hong Kong (荊) find its way back. The rally reaffirmed the Five Demands and provided a platform for students to speak, share, and be heard.

The programme ran from 2pm to 5pm and included speeches by legislators, teachers, and participants; small-group discussions; sharing by social workers and parents; a moment of collective silence; and singing. Attendees were invited to write on a Lennon Wall set up at the venue. The rally had obtained a police no-objection notice and proceeded peacefully. Over 500 people attended.

Among the highlights was the assembly of the Lady Liberty HK statue on site — students working together to erect the figure, which was heavy and required considerable effort when the flag support slipped. The statue's presence at a student-led rally was a quiet but powerful symbol.

Lukas, one of the Form 4 student organizers, said the rally aimed to give students a space to speak after months of unrest. He called on school principals and teachers to respect students' right to express their views. Legislator Roy Kwong told the crowd that Hong Kong's secondary school students were the bravest, that they had been chosen by their times, and that the future could be seen in them.