Explaining spontaneous occupation: Antecedents, contingencies and spaces in the Umbrella Movement
Author(s)
Chan, Wai Yin
Author(s)
Cheng, E. W.
Date Issued
2017
Publisher
Routledge
Journal
Social Movement Studies
Volume
16
Issue
2
Start page
222
End page
239
Abstract
This paper examines the antecedent and contingent causes sparking the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong. Spurred by two contingent events generating pre-emptive and backlash mobilization, the movement is a spontaneous transformation of the staged Occupy Central campaign. Based on an onsite survey (n = 1681) and in-depth interviews (n = 18), this paper demonstrates how protest experience and social media networked and rallied autonomous individuals from diverse backgrounds to occupy the physical spaces, thereby sustaining a self-mobilized, horizontal and resilient movement. Spontaneity, however, did not come out of nowhere. As an integral part of Hong Kong’s bottom-up activism and ecology, this spontaneous episode encapsulates antecedent events diffusing stalwart actors, decentralized organization and transgressive repertories. This paper situates spontaneity in temporal, spatial and emotional contexts to understand the uncompromising claims and participatory practices of the spectacular occupation.
SFU Affiliated Publication
No
Availability at SFU Library
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