DOWNPOUR FAILS TO EXTINGUISH PROTEST SPIRIT IN HONG KONG
▶ Rallies were also held around the world at the weekend to express solidarity with the two sides in the stand-off
Heavy rain fell on thousands of umbrella-ready protesters yesterday as they marched from a park in central Hong Kong where mass pro- democracy demonstrations have become a regular weekend activity.
Organisers said 1.7 million people attended the rally, although police estimates are likely to be much lower.
While recent rallies have been marred by violent clashes with police, organisers were eager to promote a peaceful march.
“They’ve been telling everyone we’re rioters. The march today is to show everyone we are not,” said a 23-year-old named Chris, who works in marketing.
“It does not mean we won’t keep fighting. We will do whatever is necessary to win, but today we take a break, then we reassess.”
One protester shouted at others who jeered at police, saying: “Today is a peaceful march! Don’t fall into the trap! The world is watching us,” prompting the group to move on.
Police approved a protest in Victoria Park, but the crowd soon outgrew the space and took to surrounding streets to march.
Public transit trains did not stop yesterday at stations near the assembly because of overcrowding.
On Saturday, thousands of schoolteachers marched to the official residence of Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, to show support for the protesters, who include many students.
In Beijing, a spokesman for China’s ceremonial legislature condemned statements from US politicians supportive of the pro-democracy movement.
You Wenze called the politicians’ comments “a gross violation of the spirit of the rule of law, a blatant double standard and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs”.
He said that Hong Kong’s 7.5 million people and the Chinese population rejected the actions of a “very small group of violent protesters” as well as “any interference of foreign forces”.
He did not mention any specific politician, but numerous US senators and Congress members, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, affirmed Washington’s commitment to human rights and urged the Hong Kong government to end the stand-off.
Congress also has the power to pass legislation affecting Hong Kong’s relationship with the US in ways that could further erode the territory’s reputation for stability and rule of law.
That includes the recent reintroduction of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in Congress, which wouldrequire the secretary of state to issue an annual certification of Hong Kong’s autonomy to justify special treatment afforded to the city.
More directly, President Donald Trump could issue an executive order suspending Hong Kong’s special trading status with the US, a move that could have a devastating effect on the local economy at a time when Beijing and Washington are engaged in a bitter trade war.
The movement’s demands include the resignation of Ms Lam, democratic elections and an independent investigation into police use of force.
Members of China’s paramilitary People’s Armed Police force have been training for days across the border in Shenzhen, fuelling speculation that they could be sent in to suppress the protests.
Hong Kong’s police, however, said they are capable of handling the protests.
Around the world, pro-Beijing and pro- democracy protests were held in solidarity with the two sides in the divide.
More than 1,000 people took part in two demonstrations in the British capital.
The old British colonial Hong Kong flag was seen at the demonstration.
The city was a British colony until it was handed back to Beijing in 1997 with an agreement that China would respect the special status of the city for 50 years – until 2047.
Counter- protesters waved Chinese flags and held up signs that said “traitor”, “one nation, one China” and “Hong Kong is part of China for ever”.
Meanwhile in Paris, about 50 people – Hong Kongers but also Chinese and Taiwanese – demonstrated in support of the protesters in the former British colony, chanting “freedom for Hong Kong” and even “freedom for China”.
They’ve been telling everyone we’re rioters. The march today is to show everyone we are not CHRIS Pro-democracy protester