英國留學生絕食宣言
自警察於九月廿八日，對手無寸鐡的示威者施暴後，那些越洋而來的文字和圖片，令千里以外的海外港人震怒了，痛哭了。遠在彼邦，我們可以做的，就是告訴身在香港的朋友親身到現場支持，或聚集一眾海外港人作支援。儘管如此，無力感依然揮之不去。是以，我們兩位留學英國的香港人──有剛抵英國就讀倫敦藝術大學，兼香港兆基創意書院畢業生葉靄瑤，及在華威大學讀電影研究的碩士生陳力行──自發決定於十月一日，在倫敦中國大使館門前的集會開始時，連續絕食二十四小時。
我們都是學習藝術的年青人，也明白到藝術和創意能夠走進日常生活、社區，並從中學會為不公義的事發聲──任何藝術創作，都離不開一種人文關懷的精神。看到創意書院學生在校舍掛起「生之為人，不忍沉默」，我們更深深體會到，藝術家（乃至任何人）必須要有錚錚風骨。我們只想以一種堅定、溫柔、不亢不卑的方法，來激發更多海內外的人士，敢於站出來聲援這場波瀾壯闊的民主運動。從反高鐵、反國教、反新界東北發展，再來到這一刻，我們多麼希望回到香港，與各位共同進退。
最後，我們想跟父母說一些話。你們辛苦掙錢供我們出國讀書，我們定必會好好認真學習。這次我們用身體以示決心，無疑會失去了寶貴的學習機會；但這一切，與吃過胡椒噴霧、催淚彈和警棍苦頭的香港學生、市民，著實不堪比擬。即使我們和你們的政見或許存有不同，甚至分歧，我們卻多麼希望得到你們的尊重和支持。懇請不要為我們感到擔心，我們會懂得好好照顧身體，我們會為自己負責。希望你們也能明白到：我們縱然身在海外，終究不能獨善其身───我們和香港的命運是一體的。
我們僅以絕食者的堅定意志，支持學聯與學民思潮提出的四大訴求。沒有公民提名，我們公民抗命！
但願我們學成歸來之時，自由之花能在我城燦爛盛放。
九月三十日，倫敦
葉靄瑤 陳力行
Hunger Strike Manifesto -- from HongKongers Studying in the UK
28th September 2014, a day that will go down in history. It was the day when the Hong Kong Police brutally suppressed unarmed pro-democracy protesters with tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray. It was the day when millions of Hong Kongers around the world were heartbroken. Many of us yearned to be in Hong Kong but we couldn’t; still we try our best to play our part in the Umbrella Movement: we organise sit-ins around the globe as a sign of moral support; we utilise social media to raise awareness. Yet, a sense of helplessness lingers. This is the reason why we, Jobie Yip and Daniel Chan, have decided to go on a 24-hour hunger strike. Hong Kong, we stand as one amid the pain.
Jobie has graduated from HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity and is now studying at the University of the Arts London. I, Daniel Chan, am reading a Master degree of Film Studies at the University of Warwick. As young artists-to-be, we understand how art and creativity are intertwined with our daily lives and the society. We have learnt to stand up to injustice with the help of art. Having endured the suchlike of the Hong Kong Express Rail Link controversy and the Anti-National Education protests, the time has finally come for HongKongers to make history. Inspired by a sign hung in Jobie’s alma mater – “As humans we cannot bear to be silent” – we are determined to appeal to the world through a form of protest that is humble yet confident ; tender yet firm.
Last but not least, we would like to say a few words to our parents. Mom and Dad, we are forever grateful, for without your support we wouldn’t have been here in London today. Mom and Dad, we promised you that we would work hard; we understand your concerns about our health. But Mom and Dad, compared to what the students protesting in Hong Kong have been confronted with, the hunger that we are enduring seems trivial. Even though we have differing political views, Mom and Dad, please, we need your respect and support.
We fully support the four appeals raised by the Hong Kong Federation of Students and Scholarism. Without civil nomination, we will resort to civil disobedience!
We hope that our city will be blossoming with the flowers of freedom and democracy upon our return after graduation.
2014.9.30
Jobie Yip Daniel Chan