[IMC-Editorial] Letter to the Editor in Support of Hong Kong's Freedom

[The Ayn Rand Institute]

Dear Editor:

The United States should give its full moral support to the hundreds
of thousands of Hong Kong residents who took to the streets this week
to protest a set of "anti-subversion" laws about to be imposed on them
by China.

The new laws, which would make illegal "treason, secession, sedition
[and] subversion" against Beijing's government, are designed to extend
to Hong Kong the same censorship and control China imposes on
individuals on the mainland. Given China's record of considering any
criticism against its government to be treason or subversion, the new
laws will, in effect, abolish freedom of speech on the island.

When China took over Hong Kong in 1997, it made the empty promise to
give its people 50 more years of freedom. Now it threatens them with
endless oppression. Sadly, but not surprisingly, the American
administration is silent, apparently unconcerned with this ominous
event.

It is imperative that America protests China's move and support the
pro-freedom citizens of Hong Kong to whatever extent possible. The
United States should, at a minimum, offer to take in any immigrants
from Hong Kong who wish to flee China's rule.

While it is probably too late to save Hong Kong from China's
oppression, it is never too late to speak out in defense of freedom.
Not doing so means abandoning not only the people of Hong Kong, but
America's founding values.

If China succeeds in clamping down on freedom in Hong Kong, the
majestic skyscrapers will remain, but the energy and vitality that
created them will vanish.

Sincerely,
David Holcberg Ayn Rand Institute
2121 Alton Parkway, #250
Irvine, CA  92606
United States
(949) 222-6550 ext. 226

Please let me know if you decide to publish my letter. Thank you.

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Institute, please reply to this e-mail to let us know.


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