Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Protesters Defiant, But Rally Turnout Hits A Low

Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Protesters  Defiant, But Rally Turnout Hits A Low

HONG KONG - Hong Kong’s annual pro-democracy protest saw one of the lowest turnouts in history, as thousands braved sweltering heat to protest against Beijing’s tightening grip over the city on Sunday, the 21st anniversary of its return to Chinese rule.
Organizers said 50,000 protested, in one of their lowest estimates since the annual march started in 2003. Police said 9,800 attended at the peak - the lowest figure on their record.
Hong Kong’s opposition has lost much steam in the past year, which saw elected pro-democracy legislators disqualified and some of the most prominent activists jailed.
Still, the mood was defiant on Sunday, with one of the most common chants being “Hong Kong people, keep going.”
Protesters included elderly people in wheelchairs, couples with sleeping toddlers and young residents, some of whom waved banners saying: “End one party rule; Against the fall of Hong Kong.”
“Now the government is already siding with the Communist Party. Can Hong Kong see any universal suffrage in 20 or 30 year’s time? I don’t think so,” said 13-year-old Joanna Wen, who was accompanied by her father. (Reuters)