The People's Republic of China made a promise to the international community and to the people of Hong Kong that they would enjoy certain freedoms and could freely elect their leaders. It is those freedoms and autonomy that have ensured Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. But now the People's Republic of China is backtracking on these promises. The desire of the people of Hong Kong for freedom and for democracy is genuine. The slow erosion of press freedoms and the rule of law, the setbacks to Hong Kong's democratic developments, and Beijing's less than subtle oversight of Hong Kong are the reasons the protests materialized and why they are ongoing. No matter what is said by President Xi Jinping or other Chinese officials, the "Umbrella Movement" was a creation of Beijing's policies and its rough oversight. There is no "Black Hand" of foreign forces behind the protests, only requests for Beijing to live up to its promises and to ensure Hong Kong's unique system of autonomy within China.