The Battle for Hong Kong

Ray Au, a 24-year-old district councilor living in the industrial suburb of Tai Po, wants a freer Hong Kong. Two weeks ago he carried a bullhorn to a local train station to encourage people to attend the big pro-democracy rally to be held this week. A passerby cursed Au, went chest to chest with him, and accused the territory's pro-democracy advocates of being "fools" and "Chinese traitors." A crowd gathered, and another stranger interceded, punching Au's antagonist in the nose and drawing blood.

That was an ugly demonstration of how polarized Hong Kong has become since July 1...