Protesters demonstration to the West Kowloon railway station during a demonstration in Hong Kong on July 7, 2019.
Vivek Prakash | AFP | Getty Images
Tens of thousands gathered in a large Hong Kong suburb on Sunday, driven by abiding anger at the government’s handling of an extradition bill that has revitalized fears of China tightening its grip over the former British colony and eroding its freedoms.
Clashes broke out as protesters heaved umbrellas and plastic bottles at police who retaliated by firing pepper spray amid chaotic scenes inside a shopping mall that theatres some of the world’s biggest luxury brands.
Most of the demonstrators dispersed shortly afterward as a small group warbled the Christian hymn “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord”, which has emerged as the unlikely anthem of the protests.
Millions have entranced to the streets in the past month in some of the largest and most violent protests in decades over an extradition bill that pass on allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.
Protesters marched in suffocating heat of about 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 F) in Sha Tin, a town between Hong Kong island and the border with China, stretching the demonstrations outward from the heart of the financial center into surrounding districts.
“These days there is absolutely no trust of China, and so the protesters come out,” said Jennie Kwan, 73. “Didn’t they promise 50 years, no variation? And yet we’ve all seen the changes. I myself am already 70-something years old. What do I know about politics? But politics comes to you.”
Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that guarantees its people freedoms for 50 years that are not utilized in mainland China, including the liberty to protest and an independent judiciary.
Beijing denies interfering in Hong Kong affaire de coeurs, but many residents worry about what they see as an erosion of those freedoms and a relentless march toward mainland curb.
Hong Kong’s embattled leader, Carrie Lam, has said the extradition bill is “dead”, but opponents say they will resolve for nothing short of its formal withdrawal.
Some protesters on Sunday waved banners appealing to U.S. President Donald Trump to “Choose liberate Hong Kong” and “Defend our Constitution”. Such scenes are certain to rile Beijing, which has been incensed by criticism from Washington and London over the controversial bill.
Others waved British and American flags, while banners area of expertise for Hong Kong’s independence billowed in the sultry breeze from makeshift flagpoles.
One placard featured a picture of Chinese commander Xi Jinping with the words: “Extradite to China, disappear forever.”
Chants of “Carrie Lam go to hell!” rang including the crowd, gathered well away from the island heart of the financial center which has witnessed the largest and most untamed demonstrations over the past month.
Organizers said around 115,000 attended Sunday’s rally. Police put the company at 28,000 at its peak.
Protesters span generations
Police chief Stephen Lo said 10 officers were offended and taken to hospital during clashes, including one who had a segment of his finger bitten off by a protester.
More than 40 people were pinched for charges including assaulting police and illegal assembly, he added.
The bill has stirred outrage across broad apportions of Hong Kong society amid concerns it would threaten the much-cherished rule of law that underpins the city’s worldwide financial status. The young, elderly and families joined the latest protest.
The protests have caused the former British colony’s giantest political crisis since its handover to China. Demonstrators stormed the Legislative Council building on July 1 and ransacked it.
“I not in any degree missed a march so far since June,” said a 69-year-old man who gave only his surname, Chen.
“I support the youngsters, they contain done something we haven’t done. There is nothing we can do to help them, but come out and march to show our appreciation and stay.”
Protesters are also demanding that Lam step down, the withdrawal of the word “riot” to describe demonstrations, the unconditional report of those arrested and an independent investigation into complaints of police brutality.
Police have condemned what they tell of as “violent protesters” and stressed that officers will investigate all illegal acts.
One woman, in her mid-50s, said protesters had harassed her after she adjudicated to defend the police, whom activists described as “dogs”.
“It’s verbal violence,” said the woman, who gave her name exclusively as Catherine. “People just surrounded me and shouted rude language and that makes me feel I am living in fear.”
Better protests over the bill since June have morphed into demonstrations over democracy and broader objections in society.
On Saturday, a largely peaceful demonstration in a town close to the Chinese border turned violent as protesters sent umbrellas and hardhats at police, who retaliated by swinging batons and firing pepper spray.
The government condemned violence during Saturday’s demurrers against so-called “parallel traders” from the mainland who buy goods in bulk in Hong Kong to carry into China for profit.
It averred that during the last 18 months it had arrested 126 mainland visitors suspected of infringing the terms of their mainstay by engaging in parallel trading, and barred about 5,000 mainland Chinese also suspected of involvement.
Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of newspaperwomen joined a silent march to demand better treatment from police at protests.
A police statement said that while there was elbow-room for improvement in coordination between officers and the media, the police respected press freedom and the media’s right to report.