Hong Kong has long enjoyed special status with the US due to its promised autonomy and liberal legal foundation. Coupled with a free market policy, general high literacy level, and commitment to universal human rights, Hong Kong became the "jewel of Asia" tourist city and investment hub for doing business with greater China.

Unfortunately this autonomy and legal foundation has been slowly encroached upon over the years by pro-Beijing politicians, notably in 2014 when Umbrella Movement leaders were tried unfairly, followed by waves of disqualifications of legislators holding opposing opinion. Fast forward to 2019, the government is now outright attacking its citizens. The Human Rights and Democracy Act was passed unanimously in response to the humanitarian crisis at hand.

The HRDA will place economic sanctions on government individuals responsible for human rights violations. It will also review Hong Kong's autonomy yearly to determine whether the special status should be maintained -- intended to be an economic threat to China as it stops the inflow of USD.

Protesters see the HRDA as the beacon of hope. They continue to resist totalitarianism with the belief that democratic rights and liberty will one day return to this once beautiful city. The Chinese government, on the other hand, sees this as inciting the violent "rioters" and strongly opposes the Americans for interfering with their internal affairs.