Five years after mass protests disrupted Hong Kong, and were crushed by the government, people who took part are downsizing their dreams and ambitions — but keeping a small flame of hope alive.

In announcing the move, the White House cited "strong support for people in Hong Kong in the face of ongoing repression by the People's Republic of China."

Apple Daily was closed, universities were muzzled and prominent activists were either jailed or exiled. The national security law has surely made an impact in Hong Kong in its first year in force.

The action, which falls under a strict new Beijing-imposed national security law imposed on Hong Kong, comes in response to an unauthorized, independent primary held in July.