Hong Kong protesters flood city streets for largest rally in weeks

A sea of democracy activists flooded the streets of Hong Kong Sunday under torrential rains in a peaceful demonstration to city leaders that their movement still draws wide public support, despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.

Sunday's action, billed as a return to the peaceful origins of the leaderless protest movement, drew more than 1.7 million people, making it one of the largest rallies since the protests began about three months ago, according to organisers the Civil Human Rights Front. Police said only that the approved rally in the park reached an estimated 128,000 people, not including those packed into the many surrounding streets.

Anger has been sharpened among protesters by the perceived heavy-handedness of the police, who have used tear gas, baton charges and rubber bullets in incidents that have gained wide attention on social media. "We have our gear with us, but we hope not to use it," said a 30-year-old identifying himself only as Man.

Analysts say any intervention by Chinese security forces would be a disaster for China's reputation and economy."Only when there were violent acts or illegal behaviours which endangered the safety of people at scene, police would stop them by proportionate use of force," the police said early Monday in a statement, adding that it was"unfair" to criticise the officers under such circumstances.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Hong Kong puts Beijing in a quandaryCRYSTAL Kan, a young veteran of the protests that have rocked Hong Kong since mid-June, knows where she will be if Chinese troops roll across the territory to help its embattled police force quell the movement. Read more at The Business Times.
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »

Defiant Hong Kong protesters vow huge rally despite Beijing threatsHONG KONG: Hong Kong protesters are hoping to get out a huge crowd later Sunday (Aug 18) in a bid to show the city's leaders that their protest ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Beijing condemns US politicians' statements on Hong KongBEIJING (CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Recent statements from US politicians have violated the spirit of rule of law and interfered with China's internal affairs, a spokesman with the country's top legislature has said.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Hong Kong braces for Sunday rally held by organisers of city's previous massive protestsHONG KONG - Ahead of a planned rally in Victoria Park on Sunday (Aug 18) afternoon, the city is bracing itself for the 11th consecutive weekend of protests even as the march on Saturday was peaceful.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Hong Kong protesters throng streets peacefully in pouring rain on SundayIt was the calmest weekend protest since the latest demonstrations began against perceived creeping Beijing influence in the former British colony.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Hong Kong protesters flood city streets for largest rally in weeks[HONG KONG] A sea of democracy activists flooded the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday during torrential rain in a peaceful show to city leaders that their movement still pulls wide public support, despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing. Read more at The Business Times.
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »