Hong Kong marks half year protest anniversary with huge rally

Vast crowds of democracy protesters thronged Hong Kong’s streets yesterday in a forceful display of support for the movement on its six-month anniversary, as organisers warned the city’s pro-Beijing leaders they had a “last chance” to end the political crisis.

Tens of thousands snaked their way through the financial hub’s main island under crisp winter skies in what looked set to be the biggest turnout in months.

The rally, which received rare police permission, comes two weeks after pro-establishment parties got a drubbing in local elections, shattering government claims that a “silent majority” opposed the protests.

Many of those attending voiced anger that chief executive Carrie Lam and Beijing have ruled out any further concessions despite the landslide election defeat.

“No matter how we express our views, through peacefully marching, through civilised elections, the government won’t listen,” said a 50-year-old protester, who gave his surname Wong. “It only follows orders from the Chinese Communist Party.”

“What has been stirred up in society the past few months won’t simply fade away if the government refuses to solve the problem of systematic injustice,” added Sirius Tam, 21, who donned a giant mask of Pepe the Frog, a cartoon character who has become an irreverent symbol of the protests.

Rare permission -

Semi-autonomous Hong Kong has been battered by increasingly violent demonstrations in the starkest challenge the city has presented to Beijing since its 1997 handover from Britain.

Millions have hit the streets in protests fuelled 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 the landslide win by pro-democracy candidates.

Police took the unusual step of allowing the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) to hold Sunday’s march—the first time the group has been granted permission since mid-August—but they warned they would have zero tolerance for violence by radicals.

The movement’s demands include an independent inquiry into the police’s handling of the protests, an amnesty for those arrested, and fully free elections.

“This is the last chance given by the people to Carrie Lam,” CHRF leader Jimmy Sham said.

 

Hong Kong marks half year protest anniversary with huge rally

Vast crowds of democracy protesters thronged Hong Kongs streets yesterday in a forceful display of support for the movement on its six-month anniversary, as organisers warned the citys pro-Beijing leaders they had a last chance to end the political crisis. Tens of thousands snaked their way through the financial hubs main island under crisp winter skies in what looked set to be the biggest turnout in months. The rally, which received rare police permission, comes two weeks after pro-establishment parties got a drubbing in local elections, shattering government claims that a silent majority opposed the protests. Many of those attending voiced anger that chief executive Carrie Lam and Beijing have ruled out any further concessions despite the landslide election defeat. No matter how we express our views, through peacefully marching, through civilised elections, the government wont listen, said a 50-year-old protester, who gave his surname Wong. It only follows orders from the Chinese Communist Party. What has been stirred up in society the past few months wont simply fade away if the government refuses to solve the problem of systematic injustice, added Sirius Tam, 21, who donned a giant mask of Pepe the Frog, a cartoon character who has become an irreverent symbol of the protests. Rare permission - Semi-autonomous Hong Kong has been battered by increasingly violent demonstrations in the starkest challenge the city has presented to Beijing since its 1997 handover from Britain. Millions have hit the streets in protests fuelled by years of growing fears that authoritarian China is stamping out the citys liberties. The last fortnight has seen a marked drop in street battles and protester vandalism after the landslide win by pro-democracy candidates. Police took the unusual step of allowing the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) to hold Sundays marchthe first time the group has been granted permission since mid-Augustbut they warned they would have zero tolerance for violence by radicals. The movements demands include an independent inquiry into the polices handling of the protests, an amnesty for those arrested, and fully free elections. This is the last chance given by the people to Carrie Lam, CHRF leader Jimmy Sham said.