Political Crowdfunding of Rights

Donating to the fight for democracy: The connective activism of overseas Hong Kongers and Taiwanese in the 2019 Anti‐extradition bill movement

“…Scholars (Lee et al., 2021; Yam, 2020) have highlighted that in the digital age, the role of information, communication and technologies (ICTs) strengthens social ties among network members to access resources and share information. It can also be adopted to facilitate protest participation and shape collective identities and connection actions (Bennett & Segerberg, 2012; Cheng & Yuen, 2020; Giglou et al., 2018).…”

“…Internet and social media efficiently spread information, shape narratives and mobilize specific identities (Mercea, 2018; Cheng & Yuen, 2020). Networked communications connect multiple actors and groups striving for a collective voice of renewed solidarity to confront governments or enterprises (Lee et al., 2021; Werbner, 2002; Yam, 2020). Compared to diaspora activism, transnational support networks may not necessarily need shared national or ethnic linkage to operate and may instead be established around certain ideas such as democracy or sustainability (Marchetti, 2017; Steingass, 2020).…”

“…Compared to diaspora activism, transnational support networks may not necessarily need shared national or ethnic linkage to operate and may instead be established around certain ideas such as democracy or sustainability (Marchetti, 2017; Steingass, 2020). The literature has increasingly focused on how individuals attached to the networked society for different purposes such as communicating with each other or political engagement (Cheng & Yuen, 2020; Nicholls et al., 2016; Yam, 2020). Although the types and processes of networked individualism and movement participation are distinctive, pro‐democracy, common interests, fears or experiences, and so on, can be seen as a common identity denominator that helps protesters mobilize and sustain their political actions beyond geographic boundaries (Bliuc et al., 2007).…”

“…Scholars widely regarded the movement as pro‐democracy rather than pro‐independence (Chan & Pun, 2020; Lee et al., 2019). One of the iconic characteristics of the 2019 Anti‐ELAB Movement is its being ‘leaderless’ or having ‘no central stage’ in which various social media platforms play a significant role of coordination, the making of collective decisions, crowdfunding to facilitate political expressions, and the division of labour (Cheng & Yuen, 2020; Lee et al., 2021; Yam, 2020). The power of digital media transcends spatial boundaries and at the same time connects the movement with those who are abroad but are anxious about Hong Kong's future.…”

“…There are also Taiwanese advocacy networks which show support for other social issues but not particularly for Hong Kong protests. Yet, the 2019 protest in Hong Kong led to the formation and development of various networks around the world, through either existing personal networks or social media connection (Lee et al., 2021; Yam, 2020).…”