Two-million person protests quickly and compassionately give up their position in the streets for the sake of the injured.
Hong Kong is just about always crowded, what with roughly seven and a half million people crammed into just over 1,100 square kilometers (425 square miles). Conditions have been especially congested over the past few weeks. however, as protesters have been holding marches and demonstrations in opposition of a proposed change to the semi-autonomous region’s legal system which would allow for extradition of Hong Kong citizens to mainland China.
The most recent estimates of the crowd sizes place the number of protesters at roughly two million, and as you might imagine, that’s far more than the capacity of the city’s sidewalks. But while demonstrators have no qualms about taking to the streets in order to make their voices heard, they were incredibly willing to relinquish their occupation of the roads so that an ambulance could get through the crowd in order to save someone who needed medical assistance.
救急車に一斉に道を開ける香港のデモ。 pic.twitter.com/eK8J6l4jcd
— Agnes Chow 周庭 (@chowtingagnes) June 16, 2019
In the video above, posted by Twitter user and Hong Kong university student Agnes Chow Ting (@chowtingagnes), the crowd of protesters suspends its chanting and quickly clears a path, with the liquid-like effect looking as though a dark sea is parting. As the ambulance makes its way through the crowd, the protesters applaud the paramedics, then quickly form up again as soon as the vehicle passes them and renew their chanting.
Hong Kong's streets are packed with demonstrators, bringing many of the city's main roads to a complete standstill -- but this crowd of cheering protesters parted to let an ambulance pass through. Live updates: https://t.co/EyPXwmAiGa pic.twitter.com/8IzLINzAsp
— CNN International (@cnni) June 16, 2019
#extraditionbill #HongKongProtest
— 黒色中国 (@bci_) June 16, 2019
「救急車が通れませーん!」…さて、この大混雑で通れるまで何分かかるかな?と思ったら、みんな一斉に道をあけて写真右の状態になるまで20秒かからなかった。香港人スゴイ!\(^o^)/ pic.twitter.com/5mxUfbJNtm
これだけの人に埋め尽くされていても、緊急車両が通ると一瞬で通路ができる。 pic.twitter.com/6XTitaztg4
— akiramujina (@akiramujina) June 16, 2019
The orderly display doesn’t seem to be an isolated incident, either. Other videos from the protests show similar behavior during daylight hours.
https://twitter.com/ppgstep/status/11402319542744555536/16・香港反送中デモ。救急車に道を譲る人々❤️https://t.co/Nf2Hj7KZoj pic.twitter.com/vj97KvnxCx
— Chou Hui-chi (@SumiKeiKi) June 16, 2019
救急車の為に道を開けだ香港デモ参加者 pic.twitter.com/M3BxdGIUB5
— 狼谷 雪 (@YukiKamiya_) June 16, 2019
While the Hong Kong protests don’t appear to have crossed the line that would cause one to call them a riot, it’s simply not possible for that many people to gather in one place, with heightened emotions, and not have a certain number of injuries occur. It’s likely that the demonstrations will be continuing for some time, as legislators have yet to completely back away from the extradition-enabling legislation, but it’s good to know that the protesters are willing to back away from the roads when there’s an ambulance coming.
Source: Twitter/@chowtingagnes via Hachima Kiko
Featured image: Twitter/@chowtingagnes
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Hong Kong counter-protesters gather to sing Chinese national anthem on streets of Osaka, Japan
Hong Kong protesters apologizing for airport disruption strikes a chord with Japanese netizens
Vandalism on rise at Japanese shrines as pro-Hong Kong protest prayer boards are defaced
What was this Attack on Titan giant doing at a protest in Hong Kong?
“Spies” from the police force confuse and anger Hong Kong protesters
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
Mr. Sato shares his own secret Ministop hack to help save the ailing convenience store
Japanese government creates new word for cruelly hot summer days
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Sakura season arrives at McDonald’s Japan with new range of exclusive menu items
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Autonomous beverage and snack car now testing in Chiba City
New Totoro carabiner pouches are ready to clip/tag along with you on all your adventures[Photos]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New UFO caught on tape at Hong Kong protest may spell the end of UFO videos as we know them
X Japan’s Yoshiki apologizes for having dinner with Jackie Chan
Stunning time-lapse photography, “Sea of Clouds”, shows off Hong Kong’s natural beauty【Video】
Think your rent is bad? Hong Kong “apartment” charges $250/month to sleep in bathroom shower
Hong Kong real estate developer builds new super micro condos smaller than a parking space
Pokémon politics: Proposed Pikachu name-change sparks protests in Hong Kong 【Video】
Kentucky Fried Sukiyaki? Japanese-style hot pots now on the menu at KFC Hong Kong
Hong Kong man spoils “Avengers: Endgame” outside of theater, gets swiftly beaten up for it
Flaming dump truck seen speeding through undersea tunnel in Hong Kong 【Video】
Did Prime Minister Abe just make an entire protest disappear?
Put it on and look like Donkey Kong! Nintendo releases DK jackets, more for new merch line【Pics】
KFC Gundam bucket is here to celebrate 30th anniversary of franchise’s breakout overseas hit