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686
October 18, 2019

Umbrellas Up

For over 100 days now, protestors in Hong Kong have taken to the streets every weekend. What it’s like to live through that.

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Illustrations

Hong Kong in 2047

We asked three illustrators to envision the future of the city.
Prologue

Prologue

A 22-year-old woman has been going to protest in Hong Kong for more than four months. She’s got packing her bag for a protest down to a science. She shows host Ira Glass and producer Emanuele Berry what’s inside. (7 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Emanuele Berry
Act One

The Cursed Generation

A bunch of 22-year-olds from Hong Kong explain why they are cursed and what that means for their and Hong Kong’s future. (17 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Emanuele Berry
Act Two

The Fight

Ira and Emanuele go to a protest and get tear gassed in front of a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. (6 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Emanuele Berry
Act Three

Uncivil Disobedience

Producer Emanuele Berry has a day at the mall unlike any other. (7 minutes)

By

Emanuele Berry
Act Four

Good Cop, Dad Cop 

A protestor who thinks the Hong Kong police are terrible has a chat with his dad — a police officer.  Alan Yu reports. (12 minutes)

By

Alan Yu
Act Five

A Slow Boat to China

Producer Diane Wu goes to a party. A Chinese flag party. 

By

Diane Wu
Act Six

Two Weeks Later

The 22-year-old woman from the beginning of the show catches up with producer Diane Wu. Things are different. (7 minutes)

By

Diane Wu

Song:

“Umbrella” by Ember Island 

Related

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139: Ghosts of Elections Past
Sept. 3, 1999

Act Three: Pete And Repeat

How California Governor Pete Wilson's anti-immigrant policies found some supporters among immigrants themselves.
710: Umbrellas Down
July 10, 2020

Act Four: A Slow Boat to China

Producer Diane Wu goes to a party.
381: Turncoat
May 22, 2009

Act One: Code Red

The story from the prologue continues.

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