Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hong Kong rally a nod to Catalan protest
HONG KONG — A few hundred Hong Kong prodemocracy protesters rallied Thursday in support of separatists in Spain’s Catalonia region, as a Chinese official accused them of colluding with overseas movements.
Organizers billed the event as a show of solidarity for the Catalan movement, which was sparked by anger over lengthy prison sentences for leaders of the region’s separatist movement.
Thursday’s turnout was a sliver of the many thousands who have participated in a series of increasingly violent and chaotic protests since June over increasing fears about Beijing’s tightening grip on the semiautonomous Chinese city.
Their demands include elections for the city’s top leader and an inquiry into alleged police brutality, but not independence from China. Organizers were careful to skirt the issue, with online posters advertising the event with a slogan “United, we stand for freedom,” but did not make any mention of secession.
Violent protests broke out in wealthy Catalonia this month after a court sentenced separatist leaders to up to 13 years in prison for an effort in 2017 to declare the region’s independence.
There have been parallels been the two movements, with the Catalan protesters adopting fluid Hong Kong tactics inspired by martial-arts legend Bruce Lee’s “Be water” philosophy. Both movements have occupied airports to disrupt flights and Catalonia flags have been seen at Hong Kong rallies.