City
Epaper

Hong Kong protesters launch rally

By IANS | Updated: August 31, 2019 13:25 IST

Hong Kong faces its 13th straight weekend of civil unrest after thousands of protesters defied a police ban and took to the streets on Saturday, with a Christian rally morphing into a procession and authorities shutting down recreational facilities and an MTR station.

Open in App

On Friday, the police launched a crackdown by arresting prominent pro-democracy activists and at least three lawmakers for their alleged involvement in demonstrations sparked by the now-shelved extradition bill, the South China Morning Post reported.

Defiant protesters have said they would demonstrate regardless of police refusing permission for a mass march and rally by the Civil Human Rights Front, which has called off the events.

The Front is behind the biggest marches held in Hong Kong since the eruption of the political crisis in early June, sparked by the now-abandoned extradition bill, which would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent back to mainland China.

The police have said that they would enforce the law.

Hundreds of protesters earlier attempted to march to the Government House, the official residence of Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, after stopping at the police headquarters in Wan Chai following the Christian rally in Southorn Playground.

But with riot police holding their line, they turned back.

Angry members of the crowd heckled officers, calling them "dirty cops", but did not engage in further action.

Defiant protesters chanted slogans despite rains. Among the crowd were middle-aged people, the elderly and young men and women in black.

Following his arrest on Friday, pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong said he will be "shopping" around Hong Kong Island on Saturday, and called for protesters to stand up against "white terror".

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Hong KongHong Kong IslandchinaCarrie LamJoshua Wong
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalAir India Flight to Delhi Returns to Hong Kong After Pilots Detect Possible Technical Problem

NationalCOVID-19 Situation in India Under Control, Say Official Sources Amid Scare in Singapore, Hong Kong

MumbaiMumbai; BMC Issues Advisory After Two COVID-19 Deaths, Assures Public of Preparedness

InternationalEarthquake of Magnitude 4.5 Hits China, Tremors Felt in Myanmar

InternationalPakistan Engaged in Diplomatic Contacts With Iran, China and Others to De-Escalate Situation: Pak Defence Minister

International Realted Stories

InternationalHuman rights body expresses concerns over 'violent attacks' on civilians in Balochistan by Pak officials

InternationalCongress leader Singhvi lauds PM Modi's tour of ceasefire line in Cyprus

International"Islamabad ka Qatil": Overseas Pakistanis in US protest against COAS Asim Munir

International'Publicity-seeking' Macron always gets it wrong: Trump denies exiting G7 over Israel-Iran ceasefire

InternationalUrgent action, solidarity needed in fight against malaria in Asia-Pacific