The spiralling violence, which last week saw protesters paralyse the citys din7985 Manufacturers airport, has tarnished a campaign that had taken pride in its peaceful intent and unpredictability — which demonstrators have tagged with the slogan “Be Water”.But protests have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city.”Unprecedented crisisUnder a deal signed with Britain, authoritarian China agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms when it was handed back in 1997.But many Hong Kongers feel those freedoms are being chipped away, especially since China’s hardline president Xi Jinping came to power.”Communist Party-ruled mainland China has taken an increasingly hardline tone towards the protesters, decrying the “terrorist-like” actions of a violent hardcore minority among the demonstrators.Peace or Violence?Many among Sunday’s rally-goers carried rucksacks stuffed with protest paraphernalia — laser pens, gas masks, goggles and helmets.”It’s been a long day and we’re very tired, but to see so many people out in the rain marching for Hong Kong gives strength to everyone,” said Danny Tam, a 28-year-old graphic designer.Hundreds of thousands of protesters carrying umbrellas poured across the heart of Hong Kong island defying torrential rain and a police order not to march from a park where they had gathered earlier for a rally.
The unprecedented political crisis was sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland..Beijing has turned the screws on Hong Kong’s businesses, pressuring them to toe the line and condemn the protesters.Late into the evening hundreds of masked protesters milled outside the government headquarters shouting “Reclaim Hong Kong, revolution of our times..Beyond suspending the extradition bill, Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam have shown no desire to meet key demands such as an inquiry into police violence, the complete withdrawal of the bill and an amnesty.Opinions among the protesters have diverged over the billowing violence, which has seen a small group of hardcore protesters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots against the police. I really hope the government can listen to us.”There are some expressing extreme views,” rally-goer Ray Cheng, 30, told AFP.On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests.Hundreds of thousands of protesters carrying umbrellas poured across the heart of Hong Kong island defying torrential rain and a police order not to march from a park where they had gathered earlier for a rally.
A sea of democracy activists flooded the streets of Hong Kong Sunday in a defiant show to the city’s leaders that their movement still pulls wide public support, despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.A Hong Kong government spokesperson praised the police for handling “illegal acts with tolerance” and appealed to the protesters to “express their views in a peaceful and rational manner”.”China’s propaganda apparatus has seized on the unrest, with state media churning out a deluge of damning articles, pictures and videos.Despite the near-nightly clashes with police, the movement has won few concessions from Beijing or the city’s unelected leadership.Weeks of demonstrations have plunged the financial hub into crisis, with images of masked black-clad protesters engulfed by tear gas during street battles against riot police stunning a city once renowned for its stability.Some say the violence has driven the pro-democracy movement in an uncomfortable direction.”The police are doing things that are totally unacceptable,” said Yim, who like many of the protesters gave only one name.
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