Pro-democracy in Hong Kong grew on the eve of a two-day holiday that may bring record numbers to rallies spreading throughout the city. As organisers press demands for free elections, chief executive Leung Chun-ying rejected their calls, saying China will not back down from its decision to limit voting reforms in the former British colony.
-
-
The protests have been dubbed the ‘Umbrella Revolution’ by some because the crowds have used umbrellas to block the sun and to deflect police pepper spray. Anthony Wallace/AFP Photo -
OVer the weekend, police failed to break up the protests despite using tear gas and pepper spray on demonstrators. Anthony Kwan/Getty Images -
The sit-ins have spread to the financial district and other areas beyond Admiralty in downtown Hong Kong. Carlos Barria/Reuters -
Protesters waved their cellphones with bright LED flashlights sparkling in the dark. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images -
A lightning strike is seen over skyscrapers as demonstrators gather outside the central government complex as they protest during a heavy rain storm in Hong KongLam Yik Fei/Bloomberg -
Few police were evident, and those who were present appeared relaxed. Chris McGrath/Getty Images -
A brief cloudburst seemed to energise the protesters, some of whom shouted ‘Jiayou’ or ‘Keep it up’. Paula Bronstein/Getty Images -
China’s government has condemned the student-led protests as illegal, though so far it has not overtly intervened. Anthony Wallace/AFP Photo -
China took control of Hong Kong from the British in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” arrangement that guaranteed the former British colony separate legal and economic systems and Western-style civil liberties. Anthony Wallace/AFP Photo
In pictures: Hong Kong’s ‘umbrella revolution’
Most popular today
