HK democracy protesters aim for massive turnout at march

HONG Kong protesters are hoping to get out huge crowds later Sunday as they try to keep pressure on the city’s pro-Beijing leadership six months into their movement pushing for greater freedoms and police accountability.

The semi-autonomous financial hub has been battered by the often violent demonstrations pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability in the starkest challenge the city has presented to Beijing since its 1997 handover.

Millions have hit the streets in protests fueled by years of growing fears that authoritarian China is stamping out the city’s liberties.

The last fortnight has seen a marked drop in street battles and protester vandalism after pro-democracy candidates won a landslide in local council elections, shattering government claims that a “silent majority” opposed the movement.

But activists say anger is building once more after chief executive Carrie Lam and Beijing ruled out any further concessions despite the pro-establishment drubbing.

The city’s police have taken the unusual step of allowing the Civil Human Rights Front to hold a march through the main island on Sunday -- the first time the group has been granted permission since mid-August.