New protest biggest since the elections
VAST crowds of black-clad demonstrators thronged Hong Kong yesterday in the largest anti-government protests since local elections last month.
The elections boosted the pro-democracy movement, which says it’s seeking to curb controls by China.
It was the first time since August that the Civil Human Rights Front – organiser of million-strong marches earlier in the year that paralysed the Asian finance centre – had received authorities’ permission for a rally.
It estimated a turnout of 800000 while police said 183000.
Demonstrators, from students to professionals and the elderly, marched from Victoria Park in the shopping district towards the financial area.
As dark fell, some protesters spraypainted anti-Beijing graffiti on a Bank of China building. Riot police stood on guard, restrained as protesters yelled “dogs” and “cockroaches”.
The former British colony of 7.4 million people reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. It’s governed under a “One Country, Two Systems” formula guaranteeing freedoms not allowed in mainland China, but many fear Beijing is tightening the screws. China blames the six months of unrest on interference by foreign governments.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has not offered concessions despite a win for pro-democracy parties in local elections two weeks ago. They secured almost 90% of 452 district council seats in a record turnout.
Police said they arrested another 11 people, aged 20 to 63, confiscating weapons including army knives, firecrackers, bullets and a semi-automatic pistol, the first seizure of a handgun during the protests.
Once rare for Hong Kong, violence has escalated throughout the year, as protesters have torched vehicles and buildings, hurled petrol bombs, dropped debris from bridges on to traffic and vandalised shopping malls. Police have responded with tear gas, water cannon and, at times, live fire.
Protests coalesced in June over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, then evolved into broader democracy calls.
There was no comment yesterday from Hong Kong’s government, though the day before it pledged to “humbly” listen and accept criticism.
The new police boss promised a flexible approach to protests, with “both the hard and soft approach.”