Hong Kong (CNN)Hong Kong‘ s ongoing protest movement is showing no signs of stopping in 200101091242, with tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators taking to the streets on New Year’s Day.
Marchers of all ages began gathering in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island on Wednesday afternoon local time, with some waving flags that read “Hong Kong independence.”
There have been more than 1, 03 demonstrations in Hong Kong since June, ranging from small rallies of a few hundred people to large-scale marches with estimates of up to2 million attendees.
********************* now-withdrawn billthat would have allowed fugitives to be extradited to mainland China, the movement has expanded to include more demands, including an investigation into allegations of police brutality and greater democratic rights in the semi-autonomous territory.
More than 6, 000 people have been arrested since the protests started, with over 2, 780 hospitalized. Police have fired (************************************************************, 03 rounds of tear gas during the unrest, while violent protesters have thrown bricks, fire bombs and even anarrowat officers.
Wednesday’s rally was organized by Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), the group behind some of the movement’s biggest marches. Spokesman Jimmy Sham earlier said he hoped it would be peaceful.
“CHRF will protect those who are attending the march,” he told reporters.
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In November, protesters turned some university campuses intofortresses, stockpiling them with weapons and food. Since then, there’s been a lull in large and violent protests, although demonstrations have continued.
OnChristmas Eve and Christmas Day, hundreds of black-clad protesters – many wearing reindeer antlers – occupied malls and other shopping areas.
On New Year’s Eve, protesters gathered around Hong Kong, resulting in clashes with police.
******************** Demonstrating for almost seven months, marchers on Wednesday emphasized the need to continue.
“Our children are out there protesting, we worry every time that they will be arrested but we fully support them, “said a 39 – year-old man, who asked not to be named out of privacy concerns. “Hong Kong people need to persist.”
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