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Photos: Silver haired grandpa steps up to shield Hong Kong protesters

"Grandpa Wong" holds a cane above his head as he pleads with riot police to stop firing tear gas -- an 85-year-old shielding protesters on the front lines of Hong Kong's fight for democracy. Despite his age, Wong is a regular sight at Hong Kong's street battles, hobbling towards police lines, placing himself in between riot officers and hardcore protesters, hoping to de-escalate what have now become near daily clashes.

Updated on: Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM IST

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“Grandpa Wong” (C), 85, shields protesters from the police by holding his walking stick up along with other “silver hair” volunteers in the Tung Chung district in Hong Kong. “I’d rather they kill the elderly than hit the youngsters,” he told AFP during a recent series of skirmishes in the shopping district of Causeway Bay, a gas mask dangling from his chin. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

“Grandpa Wong” (C), 85, shields protesters from the police by holding his walking stick up along with other “silver hair” volunteers in the Tung Chung district in Hong Kong. “I’d rather they kill the elderly than hit the youngsters,” he told AFP during a recent series of skirmishes in the shopping district of Causeway Bay, a gas mask dangling from his chin. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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Grandpa Wong (R), rides an escalator in an MTR station. “We’re old now, but the children are the future of Hong Kong.” The three months of huge, sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous city are overwhelmingly youth-led. Research by academics has shown that half of those on the streets are between 20 and 30 years old, while 77% have degrees. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong (R), rides an escalator in an MTR station. “We’re old now, but the children are the future of Hong Kong.” The three months of huge, sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous city are overwhelmingly youth-led. Research by academics has shown that half of those on the streets are between 20 and 30 years old, while 77% have degrees. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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Grandpa Wong rides an MTR train to the Tung Chung district in Hong Kong. The movement however maintains widespread support across the public with lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers and civil servants all holding recent solidarity rallies, even as the violence escalates. Groups of elderly people -- dubbed “silver hairs” -- have also marched. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong rides an MTR train to the Tung Chung district in Hong Kong. The movement however maintains widespread support across the public with lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers and civil servants all holding recent solidarity rallies, even as the violence escalates. Groups of elderly people -- dubbed “silver hairs” -- have also marched. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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Grandpa Wong (behind C), listens to a pre-protest briefing along with other volunteers in the Lai King district. Wong and his friend “Grandpa Chan”, a comparatively spry 73-year-old, are among the most pro-active of this older generation. The two are part of a group called “Protect the Children”, made up of mostly senior citizens and volunteers. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong (behind C), listens to a pre-protest briefing along with other volunteers in the Lai King district. Wong and his friend “Grandpa Chan”, a comparatively spry 73-year-old, are among the most pro-active of this older generation. The two are part of a group called “Protect the Children”, made up of mostly senior citizens and volunteers. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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Grandpa Wong walks along with protesters towards the front line with riot police. Almost every weekend, they come out to try to mediate between police and demonstrators, as well as buy protesters time when the cops start to charge. While “Protect the Children” turn up primarily to defend the youth, Wong said he tries to warn protesters not to provoke police. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong walks along with protesters towards the front line with riot police. Almost every weekend, they come out to try to mediate between police and demonstrators, as well as buy protesters time when the cops start to charge. While “Protect the Children” turn up primarily to defend the youth, Wong said he tries to warn protesters not to provoke police. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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Grandpa Wong shields protesters by holding his walking stick up along with other “silver hair” volunteers. “It’s wrong to throw stones, that’s why the police beat them up,” he lamented. “I hope that police won’t hit them and the children won’t throw stuff back. Everyone should stay peaceful to protect the core values of Hong Kong.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong shields protesters by holding his walking stick up along with other “silver hair” volunteers. “It’s wrong to throw stones, that’s why the police beat them up,” he lamented. “I hope that police won’t hit them and the children won’t throw stuff back. Everyone should stay peaceful to protect the core values of Hong Kong.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

7/10

Grandpa Wong talks to a riot police officer. As Hong Kong’s summer of rage has worn on, violence on both sides has only escalated. Each weekend has brought increasingly violent bouts, with a minority of black-clad protesters using molotovs, slingshots and bricks. Police have also upped their violence, deploying water cannons and resorting to tear gas and rubber bullets. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong talks to a riot police officer. As Hong Kong’s summer of rage has worn on, violence on both sides has only escalated. Each weekend has brought increasingly violent bouts, with a minority of black-clad protesters using molotovs, slingshots and bricks. Police have also upped their violence, deploying water cannons and resorting to tear gas and rubber bullets. (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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Grandpa Wong rests on a portable stool between protesters. Wong says he understands why youngsters feel they have no choice. He has watched over the decades as mainland China has grown more wealthy and powerful whilst remaining avowedly authoritarian. “If the Chinese Communist Party comes to Hong Kong, Hong Kong will become Guangzhou,” he sighed. “The authorities can lock you up whenever they want.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong rests on a portable stool between protesters. Wong says he understands why youngsters feel they have no choice. He has watched over the decades as mainland China has grown more wealthy and powerful whilst remaining avowedly authoritarian. “If the Chinese Communist Party comes to Hong Kong, Hong Kong will become Guangzhou,” he sighed. “The authorities can lock you up whenever they want.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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A pair of swimming goggles dangle from Grandpa Wong’s neck. Roy Chan, who organises the “Protect the Children” group, says he respects what the elderly citizens do but is disappointed they feel they need to come out. “They should have a good life at home during the last years of their lives,” he said. “But they are in a war and protecting the youth.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

A pair of swimming goggles dangle from Grandpa Wong’s neck. Roy Chan, who organises the “Protect the Children” group, says he respects what the elderly citizens do but is disappointed they feel they need to come out. “They should have a good life at home during the last years of their lives,” he said. “But they are in a war and protecting the youth.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

10/10

Grandpa Wong peeks at messages shown by young protesters in the Tung Chung district. His presence at the Causeway Bay protest came to an end as riot police eventually cleared the shopping district. But the next day he was right back at it -- this time at a protest near the airport. “Go home kiddos,” he hollered, brimming with renewed energy. “Let the elderly look after you.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

Updated on Sep 11, 2019 1:20 PM

Grandpa Wong peeks at messages shown by young protesters in the Tung Chung district. His presence at the Causeway Bay protest came to an end as riot police eventually cleared the shopping district. But the next day he was right back at it -- this time at a protest near the airport. “Go home kiddos,” he hollered, brimming with renewed energy. “Let the elderly look after you.” (Vivek Prakash / AFP)

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