HK marks Umbrella Revolution:

Asia

Law

Hundreds of Hong Kong pro-democracy supporters holding yellow umbrellas held three minutes’ silence outside the city’s government offices Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of mass protests challenging Beijing.

The anniversary of the “Umbrella Revolution” comes as tensions remain high in the semi-autonomous city, with fears growing that China is tightening its grip.

Huge rallies in 2014 demanding fully free leadership elections and other democratic reforms for Hong Kong brought parts of the city to a standstill for more than two months.

Those demands were snubbed by Beijing, but since then former Umbrella Movement protesters have won seats as city lawmakers.

Some of them are now pushing for a complete break from China as the fledgling independence movement gains support.

Former Umbrella Movement protest leader Nathan Law, 23, became Hong Kong’s youngest legislator in the recent citywide elections. He now advocates selfdetermination for Hong Kong.

Speaking to the crowds Wednesday, Law urged them to keep fighting.

“It’s important for you to find the impulse and bravery from before to allow for an even bigger resistance next time,” he said, speaking on a stage beside the “Lennon Wall” — a staircase near the government complex that became plastered with notes of support for protesters during the 2014 rallies.

Law was joined by political ally Joshua Wong, 19, who also addressed the crowds.

In an interview with AFP Wednesday, Wong said the democracy movement was in a “long-term battle facing the largest communist regime in the world”.

“We just have to show our persistence, courage and commitment,” he said. (AFP)