Hong Kong democracy rally cut short by tear gas

HONG KONG — Thousands of people took to Hong Kong’s streets Sunday in a new wave of pro-democracy protests, but police fired tear gas after some demonstrators hurled bricks and smoke bombs, breaking a rare pause in violence that has persisted during the sixmonth-long movement.

In the largest of three rallies, a key thoroughfare along the waterfront on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour was packed with demonstrators, from hardened masked protesters in all-black outfits to families and the elderly. They chanted “Five demands, not one less” and “Disband the police force” as they marched.

That rally followed two others earlier Sunday as protesters sought to keep the pressure on city leader Carrie Lam.

Police estimated that 16,000 people attended the Kowloon rally.