Heiky Kwan
@heikykwan.bsky.social
(She/her/她/佢) Canadian Hong Konger
Settler on stolen Coast Salish Territories aka Raincouver.
Organizer/ diaspora /activist/ artist/ senior marcomm strategist/ Jesus follower. I talk all things equity, social justice, foreign affairs.
Settler on stolen Coast Salish Territories aka Raincouver.
Organizer/ diaspora /activist/ artist/ senior marcomm strategist/ Jesus follower. I talk all things equity, social justice, foreign affairs.
Pinned
Heiky Kwan
@heikykwan.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Moots over at Twitter (I mean x) only know me for my organizing/policy analysis/ equity+ activism work/ foreign affairs commentary.
But folks don't know me for my art 🥹.
But folks don't know me for my art 🥹.
June 12, 2019, was a wild awakening for Hong Kongers.
What began as peaceful resistance was met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. Protesters were students, workers, elders. Armed only with umbrellas and makeshift goggles.
It was the moment many realized the government would not listen.
What began as peaceful resistance was met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. Protesters were students, workers, elders. Armed only with umbrellas and makeshift goggles.
It was the moment many realized the government would not listen.
June 12, 2025 at 5:41 AM
June 12, 2019, was a wild awakening for Hong Kongers.
What began as peaceful resistance was met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. Protesters were students, workers, elders. Armed only with umbrellas and makeshift goggles.
It was the moment many realized the government would not listen.
What began as peaceful resistance was met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. Protesters were students, workers, elders. Armed only with umbrellas and makeshift goggles.
It was the moment many realized the government would not listen.
Anyone else on Threads?
Holy smokes. The platform is so toxic.
Holy smokes. The platform is so toxic.
June 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Anyone else on Threads?
Holy smokes. The platform is so toxic.
Holy smokes. The platform is so toxic.
Reposted by Heiky Kwan
I bought this t-shirt at the Tiananmen Mothers stand in Hong Kong's Victoria Park one June 4th and wore it on a number of other June 4ths. Now if I wear it, especially today, another June 4th... I'll attract unwanted police attention and might even get arrested for doing so.
June 4, 2025 at 5:48 AM
I bought this t-shirt at the Tiananmen Mothers stand in Hong Kong's Victoria Park one June 4th and wore it on a number of other June 4ths. Now if I wear it, especially today, another June 4th... I'll attract unwanted police attention and might even get arrested for doing so.
June 4.
I came from a place that once lit candles.
Now, even public remembrance is banned in Hong Kong.
Those in power want to silence history.
We cannot let them.
If we still have the freedom to remember, then we must.
I came from a place that once lit candles.
Now, even public remembrance is banned in Hong Kong.
Those in power want to silence history.
We cannot let them.
If we still have the freedom to remember, then we must.
June 4, 2025 at 1:56 AM
June 4.
I came from a place that once lit candles.
Now, even public remembrance is banned in Hong Kong.
Those in power want to silence history.
We cannot let them.
If we still have the freedom to remember, then we must.
I came from a place that once lit candles.
Now, even public remembrance is banned in Hong Kong.
Those in power want to silence history.
We cannot let them.
If we still have the freedom to remember, then we must.
We are honestly living in the shittiest timeline.
May 23, 2025 at 2:12 PM
We are honestly living in the shittiest timeline.
Stop trying to make Hong Konger's advocacy issues partisan.
April 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Stop trying to make Hong Konger's advocacy issues partisan.
Y'all don't have 4 more yrs or even 2 more yrs. If Americans don't find the resolve and courage to mount mass protests to oust this govt, it'd be an implicit acceptance of whatever New America it's being transformed into
Unless this govt collapses on its own under the economic catastrophe it causes
Unless this govt collapses on its own under the economic catastrophe it causes
March 5, 2025 at 5:45 AM
We need to learn about the past.
One reason for the tariffs was to force the annexation of Canada. The McKinley Tariff declined to make an exception for Canadian products.
It was hoped this would make Canada more reliant on the US market, and push Canadians to become the 45th state.
🧵3/10
It was hoped this would make Canada more reliant on the US market, and push Canadians to become the 45th state.
🧵3/10
March 5, 2025 at 5:15 AM
We need to learn about the past.
There's different political stripes, and then there's evil.
What we're seeing now, is evil.
What we're seeing now, is evil.
February 27, 2025 at 2:38 AM
There's different political stripes, and then there's evil.
What we're seeing now, is evil.
What we're seeing now, is evil.
The uncomfortable truth is that many Hong Kongers (also Canadians & others) don’t truly believe in checks & balances, freedom of expression, or democracy.
They embrace them only when it serves their side. When it doesn’t, they see them as obstacles/barriers.
There are no principles.
They embrace them only when it serves their side. When it doesn’t, they see them as obstacles/barriers.
There are no principles.
February 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The uncomfortable truth is that many Hong Kongers (also Canadians & others) don’t truly believe in checks & balances, freedom of expression, or democracy.
They embrace them only when it serves their side. When it doesn’t, they see them as obstacles/barriers.
There are no principles.
They embrace them only when it serves their side. When it doesn’t, they see them as obstacles/barriers.
There are no principles.
Stop buying into US disinformation about Canada.
February 6, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Stop buying into US disinformation about Canada.
The trade war/ tariffs flipflop had us all confused.
February 4, 2025 at 2:20 AM
The trade war/ tariffs flipflop had us all confused.
Why is Canadian media headlining with NO TRAITORS in the foreign interference inquiry is just baffling to me.
The report clearly says there are legitimate problematic and ethical concerns exhibited.
Why isn't that alarming?
Are we reading the same thing??
The report clearly says there are legitimate problematic and ethical concerns exhibited.
Why isn't that alarming?
Are we reading the same thing??
January 29, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Why is Canadian media headlining with NO TRAITORS in the foreign interference inquiry is just baffling to me.
The report clearly says there are legitimate problematic and ethical concerns exhibited.
Why isn't that alarming?
Are we reading the same thing??
The report clearly says there are legitimate problematic and ethical concerns exhibited.
Why isn't that alarming?
Are we reading the same thing??
How do you build a Nation without its people? Without resources? Without talent?
If nation-building is the goal, why tear each other down? Why belittle those who support but are just trying to survive?
What are you really focusing on?
I'm saddened by the state of my community.
If nation-building is the goal, why tear each other down? Why belittle those who support but are just trying to survive?
What are you really focusing on?
I'm saddened by the state of my community.
January 25, 2025 at 8:18 AM
How do you build a Nation without its people? Without resources? Without talent?
If nation-building is the goal, why tear each other down? Why belittle those who support but are just trying to survive?
What are you really focusing on?
I'm saddened by the state of my community.
If nation-building is the goal, why tear each other down? Why belittle those who support but are just trying to survive?
What are you really focusing on?
I'm saddened by the state of my community.
Reposted by Heiky Kwan
The idea that joining xiaohongshu is sticking it to the man and that Chinese people all eat lobster for lunch is just so dumb it makes my head hurt.
January 17, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The idea that joining xiaohongshu is sticking it to the man and that Chinese people all eat lobster for lunch is just so dumb it makes my head hurt.
There’s a wildly sophisticated propaganda campaign unfolding regarding Little Red Book (quickly rebranded to REDNote btw - media literacy anyone?), and the discourse is split between red-scare screaming alarmists and 'the West is always lying' apologists.
Insanity.
Insanity.
January 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
There’s a wildly sophisticated propaganda campaign unfolding regarding Little Red Book (quickly rebranded to REDNote btw - media literacy anyone?), and the discourse is split between red-scare screaming alarmists and 'the West is always lying' apologists.
Insanity.
Insanity.
This was way before all of his attacks on Canada.
Current temperature check: they still are very much on the wagon and don't understand.
Current temperature check: they still are very much on the wagon and don't understand.
You know the other day I was surrounded by new newcomers (most were HKers) who asked me (and we're semi-complaining) why Canadians seem to hate Trump.
January 17, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This was way before all of his attacks on Canada.
Current temperature check: they still are very much on the wagon and don't understand.
Current temperature check: they still are very much on the wagon and don't understand.
Reposted by Heiky Kwan
Speaking from a comms/strategy POV, this photo & tweet reveals that Chrystia Freeland doesn't have a team that knows what it's doing. How did this go out? 4 phones is the opposite of populist appeal. 3 cups for tea refills? Decrepit table? Didn't bother to turn around to look at us? Chaos
January 16, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Speaking from a comms/strategy POV, this photo & tweet reveals that Chrystia Freeland doesn't have a team that knows what it's doing. How did this go out? 4 phones is the opposite of populist appeal. 3 cups for tea refills? Decrepit table? Didn't bother to turn around to look at us? Chaos
Reposted by Heiky Kwan
When white 'leftists' have a total lack of solidarity w/ *their exact equivalents* in China - who are censored, persecuted, in prison, dead, or hiding - I'm talking community organisers, labour activists, indigenous & decolonial activists, feminists, queer advocates... they are doing A Racism. Deal.
Do not know how to explain to people that if you tried to have the organization The Democratic Socialists of China and did the exact same things the DSA does you would get arrested
Moreover, ICE must be destroyed
Moreover, ICE must be destroyed
August 10, 2023 at 5:49 AM
When white 'leftists' have a total lack of solidarity w/ *their exact equivalents* in China - who are censored, persecuted, in prison, dead, or hiding - I'm talking community organisers, labour activists, indigenous & decolonial activists, feminists, queer advocates... they are doing A Racism. Deal.
Some people don't understand soft power and it shows.
November 27, 2024 at 8:51 AM
Some people don't understand soft power and it shows.
You know the other day I was surrounded by new newcomers (most were HKers) who asked me (and we're semi-complaining) why Canadians seem to hate Trump.
November 26, 2024 at 6:57 AM
You know the other day I was surrounded by new newcomers (most were HKers) who asked me (and we're semi-complaining) why Canadians seem to hate Trump.
Fams, I'm trying to raise awareness in my day job around the pervasiveness & scale of gender-based violence (GBV).
We put ads w/ the high rates of sexual assault in Vancouver neighbourhoods, asking folks to help declare GBV an epidemic.
💪🏻 Support & check it out: ywcavan.org/hiddenepidemic
We put ads w/ the high rates of sexual assault in Vancouver neighbourhoods, asking folks to help declare GBV an epidemic.
💪🏻 Support & check it out: ywcavan.org/hiddenepidemic
November 26, 2024 at 1:31 AM
Fams, I'm trying to raise awareness in my day job around the pervasiveness & scale of gender-based violence (GBV).
We put ads w/ the high rates of sexual assault in Vancouver neighbourhoods, asking folks to help declare GBV an epidemic.
💪🏻 Support & check it out: ywcavan.org/hiddenepidemic
We put ads w/ the high rates of sexual assault in Vancouver neighbourhoods, asking folks to help declare GBV an epidemic.
💪🏻 Support & check it out: ywcavan.org/hiddenepidemic
This is all of us living through collective trauma.
I feel like I'm a completely different person with different priorities, values, mannerisms, and even the way I speak and my tolerance for profanity has changed.
And I haven't even touched on my circle of friends, work and community organizing.
I feel like I'm a completely different person with different priorities, values, mannerisms, and even the way I speak and my tolerance for profanity has changed.
And I haven't even touched on my circle of friends, work and community organizing.
It’s been five years and I don’t remember what life was before June 2019
November 19, 2024 at 8:12 PM
This is all of us living through collective trauma.
I feel like I'm a completely different person with different priorities, values, mannerisms, and even the way I speak and my tolerance for profanity has changed.
And I haven't even touched on my circle of friends, work and community organizing.
I feel like I'm a completely different person with different priorities, values, mannerisms, and even the way I speak and my tolerance for profanity has changed.
And I haven't even touched on my circle of friends, work and community organizing.
Reposted by Heiky Kwan
YSTL again reminds us that today hasn't happened in isolation, it isn't the beginning, its not the end & importantly that there are millions of Hong Kongers still in the city that really fucking love Hong Kong.” (我哋真係好撚鍾意香港)
and are navigating the oppression the best they can.
and are navigating the oppression the best they can.
I posted "A dark day for Hong Kong" on Facebook (the only social media my mother and many friends over 60 use). Actually, I should have posted "ANOTHER dark day for Hong Kong". We've had so many since June 12th, 2019. 7/21. 8/31. 10/1. 11/11. And so on and on. June 30/July 1, 2020. Etc.
November 19, 2024 at 10:06 AM
YSTL again reminds us that today hasn't happened in isolation, it isn't the beginning, its not the end & importantly that there are millions of Hong Kongers still in the city that really fucking love Hong Kong.” (我哋真係好撚鍾意香港)
and are navigating the oppression the best they can.
and are navigating the oppression the best they can.
Reposted by Heiky Kwan
Law professor Benny Tai sentenced to 10 years in prison for “masterminding” a plot to win an election and change the political system from writing through lawful means. This is what Hong Kong has become.
47人案．判刑｜欲取過半議席圖癱瘓政府 戴耀廷囚10年
www.hk01.com/article/1071...
47人案．判刑｜欲取過半議席圖癱瘓政府 戴耀廷囚10年
www.hk01.com/article/1071...
47人案．判刑｜欲取過半議席圖癱瘓政府 戴耀廷囚10年
民主派在2020年舉辦初選時，被指曾協議若民主派能取得過半議席，會無差別否決預算案，以癱瘓政府。47人涉組織及參與的人士事後被控《港區國安法》
www.hk01.com
November 19, 2024 at 2:29 AM
Law professor Benny Tai sentenced to 10 years in prison for “masterminding” a plot to win an election and change the political system from writing through lawful means. This is what Hong Kong has become.
47人案．判刑｜欲取過半議席圖癱瘓政府 戴耀廷囚10年
www.hk01.com/article/1071...
47人案．判刑｜欲取過半議席圖癱瘓政府 戴耀廷囚10年
www.hk01.com/article/1071...