This week marks the one-year anniversary of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests which erupted last June over an ill-fated extradition bill. Photojournalist Dominic Chiu captured significant moments over the past year where words and pictures met, often creating accidental and intentional juxtapositions.

“God Bless”, written on the back of a reporter’s helmet in Mong Kok on October 1, 2019. Photo: Dominic Chiu.

“A year of unrest has passed for Hong Kong,” Chiu told HKFP. “During this historical year, people seen on the streets hold different beliefs as shared among comrades, colleagues, citizens, friends.”

Protestors at Hong Kong International Airport, Airport Blockade Protests on July 26, 2019. Photo: Dominic Chiu.
“In memory of Chow Tsz Lok.” The 22-year-old student from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology suffered a severe brain injury that would lead to his death four days later. Chow is believed to be the first to die from injuries sustained in the 2019 Hong Kong protests, but the exact circumstances that led to his fall from a car park in Tseung Kwan O are not known. Photo: Dominic Chiu.
At a Central tram station: “Originally there was no path in this world, but when there was many who have walked upon it, then a path came into being” on November 1, 2019. Photo: Dominic Chiu.
An advertisement seen outside the wall of a hotel in Yau Ma Tei on November 18, 2019. Photo: Dominic Chiu.
“Help Us”, written by protesters during the siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November 2019. Photo: Dominic Chiu.
“Disperse or we fire”, police showing a warning flag under the Christmas lights of a residential area, Whampoa on December 1, 2019. Photo: Dominic Chiu.
A protester writing a slogan on the top of a tram station: “It is not because we see hope that we keep going, but we keep going so we see hope” on December 8, 2019.

See more from Photojournalist Dominic Chiu on his portfolio.

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