Hong Kong set for more subdued weekend of protests

[webfact]

Hong Kong set for more subdued weekend of protests

 

Anti-government demonstrators protest in front of the UK consulate in Hong Kong, China, October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas?

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong is gearing up for what is expected to be a relatively quiet weekend of protests, although there is no sign that anti-government activists are backing down on their calls for greater democracy and other demands.

 

Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters, some waving Catalan flags and banners urging "a fight for freedom together", rallied in support of a separate Catalonia on Thursday, broaching an issue that is anathema to the city's rulers in Beijing.

 

Hong Kong is now in its fifth month of protests, which have plunged it into its biggest political crisis in decades and taken a heavy toll on the economy.

 

A rally dubbed "Medical Workers Resisting Tyranny" is planned at Chater Garden in the heart of the financial centre on Saturday evening, with another protest, "Fight Against Police Brutality, Stand with Muslims, Citizens and Journalists", due to take place on Sunday across the harbour in Kowloon district.

 

A police water cannon truck shot bursts of blue-dyed water at a small clutch of people on the footpath outside a mosque during protests in Kowloon on Sunday, hitting its gate and steps, drawing criticism from some in the Muslim community.

 

Police, already facing criticism for heavy-handed tactics, issued a statement saying the incident was "most unfortunate" and unintended, while senior officers went to meet Muslim leaders late at night to offer apologies.

 

Hong Kong was returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that allowed it to retain extensive freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest.

 

However, many Hong Kong residents are angry at what they see as a relentless march towards mainland control.

 

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence accused China on Thursday of curtailing "rights and liberties" in Hong Kong and blasted U.S. company Nike and the National Basketball Association for falling in line with Beijing in a disagreement over free speech.

 

The Chinese central government has condemned the protests and accused foreign powers of fuelling unrest. The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly warned other nations against interfering in Hong Kong, reiterating that it was an "internal affair".

 

(Reporting By Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-10-25

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[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Chinese central government has condemned the protests and accused foreign powers of fuelling unrest.

Accusations which have yet to be substantiated.  The root cause of the unrest is the Carry Lam government.   She should go retire in Thailand.  

[tonbridgebrit]

From the article [ U.S. Vice President Mike Pence accused China on Thursday of curtailing "rights and liberties" in Hong Kong and blasted U.S. company Nike and the National Basketball Association for falling in line with Beijing in a disagreement over free speech. ]


Mike Pence, do please shut up. Who on earth are you ? Trump is President of the US, POTUS, he might actually be one of the worst presidents that America has ever had. And you, Pence, you are the vice president. Trump can claim that lots of Americans voted for him, but you, Mike Pence, you can't claim that. You was selected. I really do hope that Trump does not die in office, or gets removed, because we don't want to see you (a man that was never voted for) become President.


Okay, Pence, you want to go on about free speech and liberties, freedom. Nike and the National Basketball Association are actually saying what they want to say. They're doing their free speech. Nobody is forcing Nike or the NBA to say certain stuff. So, how about you stop making yourself look absurd, how about you just let Nike and the NBA say what they want to say.

[tonbridgebrit]

On 10/25/2019 at 8:44 AM, yellowboat said:

Accusations which have yet to be substantiated.  The root cause of the unrest is the Carry Lam government.   She should go retire in Thailand.  

And if Carry Lam is fired, and Beijing sends in a replacement, then what ?

Carry Lam will probably see out her remaining years in England, on a retirement visa. And her replacement ? The rioters who are throwing petrol bombs and bricks at government buildings, I really don't think they will stop because a new person will be carrying out the same policies.

It appears to be that the Hong Kong riots and demonstrations are running out of steam. The media are tired of reporting the stories about the protests. They know that people in America and Europe are bored about the coverage going on for the last four or five months. Let's hope that the riots will stop pretty soon in Hong Kong.

Peaceful protests are okay, but throwing Molotov Cocktails and bricks should be heavily punished.