China's new National Security Law that Hong Kongers were dreading didn't keep them from protesting this week.

Thousands turned out, and hundreds were arrested.

The risks they're taking are greater than ever: not only is there an ongoing pandemic, but protesters face life in prison if they're arrested and convicted of any of a suite of new offences that were created on Tuesday.

So why do they keep showing up, even when they feel no hope?

Today on The Signal, we speak to three women from the pro-democracy movement, to try to understand what drives them to keep taking the risk.

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'Jas', Hong Kong pro-democracy protester

'P', Hong Kong pro-democracy protester

'Hannah', Hong Kong pro-democracy protester