HONG KONG: Tens of thousands of protestors have gathered in Hong Kong for a major rally, amid severe warnings by the China government.
Mostly clad in black, demonstrators have gathered for the anti-government rally in the eleventh week of what has often been violent demonstrations in Hong Kong, the Asian financial hub.
China, meanwhile, has condemned the demonstration as a behavior that is “close to terrorism”.
Protestors are all set for the rally despite the officials denied authorization for the march through the city. The Civil Rights Human Front, however, has said that the protest would be peaceful.
Hong Kong has witnessed a series of protests over a now-suspended bill which earlier allowed the authorities to extradite criminal suspects to mainland China.
They have been fighting for a complete withdrawal of the Extradition Bill, a waiver of charges against the arrested, and an independent inquiry, among others.
The increasing unrest is also fueled by qualms about the loss of freedoms that have been guaranteed under the “one country, two systems” plan.
Protestors say they would take to the streets because they have no other choice saying that they would continue to demonstrate until Beijing showed the respect that the Hong Kong people deserve.
On Saturday, demonstrators sat on concrete soccer fields in Victoria Park holding placards bearing slogans such as “Free Hong Kong!” and “Democracy now!”
Meanwhile, they have also been demanding the immediate resignation of Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam.
Hong Kong police, meanwhile, have come under wide criticism for using aggressive tactics on the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, observers say scenes of Chinese troops training at a stadium in Shenzhen city bordering Hong Kong has given a warning that China’s intervention by force cannot be ruled out.
The protests have been one of the biggest challenges facing China’s President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. (Agencies)
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