教協8月17日舉行「守護良知」遮打花園集會遊行,呼籲教師積極參與,守護我城的下一代,為良知發聲,促請政府回應五大訴求,並立即停止警暴。現場有大量黑衣市民出席,遊行隊伍約在上午11時半出發前往禮賓府,在黃色暴雨下,隊頭高呼「守護學生,老師要發聲」。遊行開始超過2小時後,遊行人士仍未全數抵達終點禮賓府。大會宣布有22000人參與遊行。教協亦呼籲教育界8月18日出席維園集會。
有年青示威者在遮打花園天台冒暴雨躹躬致謝,高舉「謝謝你」、「我們走下去」、「這兩個月來的不便 對不起」紙牌。
教育界立法會議員葉建源於集會指出,良知不只是老師有,所有香港人都有,所以才會有一二百萬走出來反對修例,但不明白為何有人會泯滅良知,為何「撤回」兩個字這麼難說出口;當警察濫暴時為何不能成立獨立調查委員會、為何查找公義變成不能做的禁忌、犯錯的人卻可以大大聲反對成立獨立調查委員會;在此還想表達他們關心下一代。
22,000 braved pouring amber rainstorm to join a rally on “safeguard the next generation, let our conscience speak”, organised by the Professional Teachers’ Union (PTU) at Chater Garden on Saturday in supports of the anti-extradition bill campaign, before a march to Government House, the residence of Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
PTU also called on the education sector to attend the Victoria Park rally on Sunday.
Some young protesters bowed to expressed their thanks from the rooftops of Chater Garden under torrential rains. They raised the placards “Thank you”, “We walk together” and “Sorry for the inconvenience during the last two months.”
Ip Kin-yuen, legislator representing the education sector, pointed out at the rally that teachers and all Hong Kong people have conscience. That is why one to two million came out to oppose the amendments. He does not understand why some people find the word “withdraw” so difficult to say; why can’t an independent commission of inquiry be established when the police are violent, and those who make mistakes can loudly oppose the establishment of an independent commission; and they also want to express their concern for the next generation.