Hong Kong, August 19: Hong Kong is preparing for further protests after millions of pro-democracy dissenters braved heavy rainfall to demonstrate peacefully on Sunday – marking a change into their rally that has been escalated as violent.
Some 1.7 million Hong Kongers rocked the streets on Sunday’s massive turnout that conveyed the movement still covers widespread supports instead of the chaotic scene last week, during which protesters seized the Chinese-ruled territory’s international airport.
Few activists apologized for the airport rally and crisis, and many were seen on Sunday night urging others to leave for home peacefully, according to Reuters.
On Monday, the Hong Kong police said while Sunday’s peaceful demonstration, there were violations of the peace when time counted down in evening, during which some dissenters defaced public structures and aimed laser lights at officers.
One protester, named Wang, speaking at a “citizen’s press conference” on Monday, said, “We have started our rallies very peacefully but after two and a half months it seems that the Hong Kong government has not responded to our five demands so one thing leads to another and it may cause escalation.”
On Sunday, protesters spilling out from Victoria Park, the designated rally area on Hong Kong island, streamed onto major thoroughfares toward the city’s financial center, chanting for Beijing-backed leader Carrie Lam to step down.