JMock
You may like to refresh your knowledge on the riot in HK in 1967. That went against your belief of "we could march to ...".
1936 people were charged, 832 injured, (including 212 from the police), 51 dead.
Before that, there was also the riot in Oct 1956.
If you still believe you had more freedom under the Brits, check out what the "Special Branch" in the police was, est in 1934 til 1995.