Face of Democracy: 17-Year-Old Takes on Beijing as Student Leader of Hong Kong Protests

When Joshua Wong was just 15 years old, he led a fight against state efforts to pump Chinese government “patriotic education” classes into his school. Now 17, he is a leader of hundreds of thousands of protesters flooding the streets of Hong Kong. The Wall Street Journal has more on this brave young man, it tells a story as well to show his journey through social media.

JoshuaWong of @Scholarismhk hands out flyers (the ones HKPost refused to send) to students on way to school this morn pic.twitter.com/svkzHkel3G

— Occupy Central 和平佔中 (@OCLPHK) September 2, 2014

This teen should be at #UNGA2014 Via @CNN: http://t.co/ARhJutTsXT pic.twitter.com/wqZYD57dcj

— Femi Oke (@FemiOke) September 25, 2014

Can this 17-year old take on Beijing and win? #HongKong http://t.co/EOkAUT1qf6 pic.twitter.com/ETZMomx1rM

— NBC Asian America (@NBCAsianAmerica) September 25, 2014

.@Scholarismhk‘s Joshua Wong leads secondary students to rally outside Civic Square #hkclassboycott pic.twitter.com/OHw1MkzCYd

— Varsity CUHK (@varsitycuhk) September 26, 2014

Apple Daily cites “sources”:’ Joshua Wong home has been searched – so far unverified; sees if police will confirm pic.twitter.com/a1xFOU4788

— Fion Li (@fion_li) September 27, 2014

Meet Joshua Wong – the 17-year-old leading protests in #HongKong http://t.co/I0w5D4vWDG #UmbrellaRevolution pic.twitter.com/KjqDxLMuoZ

— BBC Newsbeat (@BBCNewsbeat) September 29, 2014

Top three #OccupyHK student leaders reunited last night after being arrested. L-R Lester Shum, Alex Chow, Joshua Wong pic.twitter.com/zRMnMy7uIR

— Joanna Chiu (@joannachiu) September 30, 2014

Student leader Joshua Wong in Admiralty: ‘The only person who can stop the protest is Leung Chun-ying.’ #HongKong pic.twitter.com/u5GS8qfGkK

— Judy Ngao (@Judy_Ngao) September 30, 2014

Agnes Chao and Joshua Wong both teens giving the powers in Beijing sleepless nights pic.twitter.com/QTvqvb9vcd

— Matt Frei (@mattfrei) September 30, 2014

Joshua Wong leads students in silent protest at National Day flag-raising in Hong Kong http://t.co/uGlGTxAcvT pic.twitter.com/EczQ7KibaU

— SCMP News (@SCMP_News) October 1, 2014

youngest rebel ever in 21th Century. Joshua Wong, @joshuawong1013 salute. #democracy #OccupyHongKong pic.twitter.com/Sy4mEUpuTR

— Prada (@adimuliapradana) October 1, 2014