For the past four nights there have been massive protests in Hong Kong. Residents of the former British colony are angry that open elections will not be permitted in 2017. All candidates running must have Beijing’s approval (re: they must be members of the Communist Party). Authorities in Hong Kong have used tear gas to dispel the protesters, but instead they have only grown in numbers.

When London returned Hong Kong to Chinese control in 1997, the Chinese promised “one country, two systems”. Hong Kong has a degree of autonomy unknown in mainland China, but now Beijing is encroaching on that autonomy.

As with Tiananamen Square, this began as a student protest movement. But it has quickly grown into a broader movement. It has been dubbed the Umbrella Movement as umbrellas have been utilized as a means of protection from tear gas. It has also been dubbed by Occupy Central. Now this is an Occupy movement I can support.

As for this country, the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong has issued a statement calling for all sides to “refrain from actions that would further escalate tensions”.

During the height of the Arab Spring three years ago, President Obama said, “The United States of America was founded on the belief that people should govern themselves. Now, we cannot hesitate to stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing that their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable, and more just.”

Apparently, the Obama Administration won’t stand squarely on the side of those “reaching for their rights” in Hong Kong lest they offend the ChiComs. The Hong Kong protesters can expect the Dalai Lama treatment.

But saddest of all, it isn’t a question of if Beijing will crush this wave of dissent, but when they will crush it.